Vote for Mayo astro-photographer's Reach for the Stars entry

A MAYO astro-photographer has been chosen for the next stage of the prestigious Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition, run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).

A photograph taken by Shane Lavelle from Castlebar has been shortlisted in the Out of this World category in the competition, which aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the past year.

Shane's stunning photo was taken in Achill and is titled 'Milkyway over Croaghaun', featuring the Milkyway arching over Croaghaun mountain and the cliffs on Achill Island.

Explained Shane: "The dark skies of the west of Ireland and the raw, wild landscape of Mayo's Atlantic coast inspired me to take this photo.”

While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries in the coming weeks, an online vote has been launched so members of the public can also have their say.

All 40 shortlisted images - including Shane Lavelle’s photograph - can now be viewed on the Reach for the Stars website, https://reachforthestars.ie/, where members of the public can also cast their vote for their favourite image.

There are two categories in the competition: ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’. The ‘Out of this World’ category features images depicting elements of astronomical interest. The ‘Back on Earth’ category features astro-landscape images that depict an element of astronomical interest and elements such as nature, cityscapes, land or water.

The winning images selected by the judging panel and the public vote will be announced in July, and an outdoor exhibition will be staged by DIAS in August to showcase the best images.

Alongside the Public Choice Award for the winner of the online public vote, an overall winner and runners-up will be chosen by the judging panel for ‘Reach for the Stars’, which includes Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS; Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor of The Irish Times; John Flannery, Vice-President of the Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, Director, Alice PR & Events.

This year will also see the inclusion of a special prize to mark the 75th anniversary of the School of Cosmic Physics. One photograph that depicts the work of one or more of the research areas carried out at the school will be selected for the prize.

Said Professor Peter Gallagher of DIAS: “I’m delighted to return for a second year of judging for the Reach for the Stars competition. The standard of entries has been excellent again this year. It’s amazing what the photographers have been able to capture, from stars and galaxies that are millions of light years away to stunning scenery back on earth.

“We hope the people of Mayo will get involved again this year in the public vote and cast their vote for their favourite image.”

Votes for the Public Choice Award are restricted to one vote per person, and voting will close at midnight on Sunday, July 3.