Last chance to shine for budding astrophotographers in Mayo

Photography and astronomy fans in Mayo have one final opportunity to submit their entries for the Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition before the deadline on Friday next, May 10.

The competition, organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period from April 28 last to May 10 this year.

Commenting today on the approaching deadline, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and registrar of DIAS, said: “The 2024 deadline is fast approaching and we’re delighted to see the entries coming in. The addition of a new category this year inviting entries taken on smartphones is a great opportunity, and I encourage anyone in Mayo who has an interest in astronomy and the night sky to get out there and get involved.

“You don’t have to be a professional photographer to appreciate our night sky, you don’t need to own a telescope – we just ask that you follow the competition guidelines carefully to ensure your images meet the criteria. I would really encourage people in Mayo to get out with their cameras or phones over the next week, before the closing date.”

Entries to the Reach for the Stars competition will be judged by Professor Peter Gallagher, head of astrophysics at DIAS, along with Brenda Fitzsimons, picture editor of The Irish Times; John Flannery, vice-president of the Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, director at Alice Public Relations.

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Submissions can be made across five distinct 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).

The winning photographers across the different categories will receive various prize packages that include passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne, plus vouchers for photographic/telescopic equipment, and digital subscriptions to The Irish Times.

It is DIAS’s intention that the winning and highly commended images will also be included in an exhibition at DIAS during 2024. Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition – for the purposes of the public vote – on the competition website, reachforthestars.ie.

DIAS’s Reach for the Stars competition is being run in partnership with The Irish Times, and is sponsored by Alice Public Relations and the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.

Further information, including the competition guidelines and entry form, is available at www.reachforthestars.ie.