Reach for the Stars, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies’ (DIAS) astrophotography competition, has returned for the fourth year running. This year the competition has added a new category for images taken by mobile phone called ‘Night sky in your hand’.
Entries will be taken in five categories:
- Night sky in your hand: Images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene.
- Out of this world – Planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon
- Out of this world – Deep sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies
- Back on Earth – landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water
- Back on Earth – landmark: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments
Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “We are always trying to improve and grow the competition and have made a number of updates this year that we hope will bring the competition to a new level. We now have an additional category inviting entries taken on smartphones. Cameras on phones can now take such high-quality photos that we felt it would be a great opportunity to encourage more people to get involved.”
Prof Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy & Astrophysics at DIAS and member of the judging panel, said: “There are lots of astronomical events coming up in April alone – we’ve just had a solar eclipse, Lyrid’s meteor shower will take place later this month, along with a full moon before the closing date of the competition – so there are plenty of opportunities for people to get out there and capture some shots.
“The night sky can be enjoyed by everyone – we’ve had everything from glittering galaxies to incredible skyscapes entered over the past three years, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s submissions have in store.”
The winning photographers in the Out of this World and Back on Earth categories will receive a package that includes publication of their images on the DIAS and Irish Times websites, passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne); a €500 voucher for photographic/telescopic equipment; and a 12-month digital subscription to The Irish Times.
The winner of the public choice and Night sky in your hand categories will receive a €250 voucher for photographic/telescopic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.
It is planned that the winning and highly commended images will be included in an exhibition at DIAS this year and all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition at reachforthestars.ie.
Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 10 May 2024.
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