Two Galway photographers were named as winners or runners up in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies’ astrophotography competition, Reach for the Stars.
Drawing more than 140 entries from photographers across Ireland, the competition showcases extraordinary images of the night sky, revealing the beauty of the cosmos through the lens of both amateur and experienced photographers.
Among this year’s winners was Ekaterina Moskovskova from Renvyle, Co Galway, winning in the Night Sky in Your Hand category.
Her image As Above, So Below captured a couple standing on a moonlit beach beneath the glow of the aurora. Reflected in the wet sand below, the stars and Northern Lights created what judges described as a striking mirror between earth and sky.
In the Out of this World category, David Mackie from Athenry, Co Galway was commended as a runner-up for his image A Bubble in Outer Space, which captured the Bubble Nebula, a glowing shell of gas located approximately 10,000 light-years from Earth.
The winning photographers will be recognised at an awards ceremony at DIAS HQ, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 in the coming weeks.
Their photos, alongside a selection of shortlisted images, will go on public display in a special exhibition at a later date, giving visitors the chance to explore some of Ireland’s most spectacular night sky photography up close.
On this year’s competition, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and the Registrar of DIAS, says the photos submitted this year showcase incredible technical skill as well as curiosity and creativity.
“Whether capturing ancient monuments beneath the stars, the colours of the aurora or distant galaxies far beyond our solar system, these photographers have given us a glimpse of a universe that is both vast and beautiful,” says Meehan. “We are delighted to celebrate their achievements.”
This year’s winners were selected by an expert judging panel, including Dan Dennison, Visual Editor, Irish Times; Dr Donncha O’Driscoll, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, Engineer, and one of Ireland’s leading Science Communicators.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Professor Peter Gallagher says, “What struck the judging panel this year was the storytelling behind the photographs. These images capture fleeting moments that most of us would never see with the naked eye, from the glow of the aurora reflected on a Galway beach to distant nebulae hidden deep within our galaxy.
“They remind us that moments of extraordinary beauty can be found both above our heads and in the landscapes around us. The technical standard was exceptional, but the winning images stood out because they sparked a sense of wonder. They encourage us to pause, look up and appreciate the universe we are part of.”
DIAS’ Reach for the Stars competition is run in partnership with The Irish Times and is sponsored by MKC Communications and the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.
