Reach for the stars: Astrophotography competition returns for second year

Entries will be accepted until the end of April

Alberto Canizares, PhD researcher at the DIAS school of cosmic physics, and technical officer Dr Sophie Murray at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan
Alberto Canizares, PhD researcher at the DIAS school of cosmic physics, and technical officer Dr Sophie Murray at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan

The Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition run by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is back for its second year.

The competition is open for entries of images taken in Ireland from April 1st, 2021 to April 30th, 2022 .

Images can be submitted under two categories. The Out of this World category is for photos of scenes of astronomical interest, such as deep space or the solar system.

The Back on Earth category is for astro-landscape images that feature astronomical interests and capture elements such as nature, cityscapes, land or water.

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Prof Peter Gallagher, head of astrophysics at DIAS, said they were “blown away” by submissions last year. “From images that captured very complex astronomical features and others that captured the night sky perfectly against beautiful Irish landscape – we had such a range of entries, making our job as judges very difficult.”

Entrants can submit up to two images per category before the deadline on April 30th. The winning photographs will be published on the DIAS and Irish Times websites.

Winners will also receive a tour of the DIAS Dunsink Observatory, a €500 voucher for photographic or telescopic equipment, and a 12-month premium digital subscription to The Irish Times.

The competition is being run in partnership with The Irish Times, and is sponsored by Alice PR & Events. Further information is at reachforthestars.ie.