The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is hosting an outdoor exhibition showcasing the winning images from its annual Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. The exhibition opens on July 26th at the DIAS headquarters, located at 10 Burlington Road, Dublin.
This year's competition saw a surge of breathtaking photographs capturing the celestial beauty of the night sky and the vast expanse of the cosmos. From a majestic moonrise above Bray Head to a massive star nearing its end, the images offer a glimpse into the wonders of the universe.
One of the competition's highlights was "Sentinel," a captivating image by Tom O'Donoghue from Malahide, which captured the Baltimore Beacon standing on a cliff edge with the Milky Way stretching out in the distance. This image won the 'Back On Earth â Landmark' award and impressed the judges with its creativity and imagination.
Professor Peter Gallagher, head of astrophysics at DIAS and a member of the judging panel, commented, "Having seen lots of aurora shots this year, this one really stood out to us for the creativity and imagination. Tom OâDonoghueâs âSentinelâ shows how even the most familiar landmarks can still be captured in new ways."
Another award-winning image was "The Jewels of the Swan," captured by Martin McCormack from Glasnevin. This image, which won the 'Out of this World â Deep Sky' award, showcases the Crescent Nebula in exquisite detail. The photo captures the moment when the central star of the nebula sheds its outer layers into space, creating a spectacular display of celestial beauty.
"Although the Crescent Nebula is a bright one, it can be notoriously difficult to capture," Gallagher said. "This photographer really put in the hours and studied their craft to create a beautiful image that is truly captivating."
The competition attracted over 200 entries, and the selection process was rigorous, with the judges carefully reviewing each image to determine the winners of various categories. DIAS CEO and registrar Dr Eucharia Meehan extended her congratulations to all the winners for their "spellbinding entries."
"What is most important is that the images are a window into what is happening in our universe, and they can contribute to our understanding of the night sky," Meehan said. "Astrophotography is about the interactions between humanity and the universe, and it can be a tool to engage the general public in science and astronomy."
The exhibition at DIAS headquarters will feature the winning images alongside a selection of the judges' top-rated photos. The public can view these stunning images free of charge throughout the exhibition period.
"Itâs exciting to see such high numbers of engagement with the competition this year in both entries and the public vote," Meehan said. "We hope that more people stop by to visit the physical exhibition at Burlington Road over the coming weeks to appreciate the images in person."
The Reach for the Stars competition serves as a reminder of the enduring allure of the night sky and the power of astrophotography to inspire awe and curiosity in all who gaze upon it. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the universe and appreciate the talent of the photographers who captured these stunning images.
