Call for astronomy photographers after Offaly competition success last year
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) astrophotography competition ‘Reach for the Stars’ is back for its second year and is calling on people in Offaly with an interest in photography and astronomy to submit their images.
The competition, which is now open for entries, is seeking the best astrophotographs taken in Ireland over the period 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2022. It is calling for submissions under two distinct categories:
Out of this World: Images depicting scenes/features or elements of astronomical interest. For example, deep space images or images of the solar system.
Back on Earth: Astro-landscape images that depict a feature or element of astronomical interest and capture elements such as nature, cityscapes, buildings or monuments, land, or water.
Offaly man Tom O’Hanlon from Tullamore, Co. Offaly, was announced as a runner-up in the competition last year. His image ‘North Star Jesuit House’, is a series of tacked images, taking in The North Star, which demonstrates the Earth’s rotation, captured at Tullybeg House – the former Jesuit boarding school – in Rahan, Co. Offaly.
Launching the competition, Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “DIAS is delighted to launch the 2022 ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition. Following on from the huge success of last year’s competition, we are excited to see what entries will be submitted this year, what creativity people bring, and what images they have captured.
“DIAS has a rich legacy and expertise in astronomy and it is fantastic to be able to showcase that, while also capturing the public’s imagination and creativity through the wonders of space.
“Last year we received entries from people in Offaly and right across the country, and this year we hope to see even more. The competition is open to everyone – whether they are a seasoned professional or amateur with a love for astronomy. We just asked that they follow the competition guidelines carefully when making the submission to ensure their images are eligible.”
Also commenting, Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS and member of the judging panel, said: “As a member of the judging panel, we were blown away by submissions to the competition 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.
"As part of the competition, it was great to have the shortlisted entries printed for our outdoor exhibition at DIAS last year. Seeing them in large format really brings them to life and we hope to do the same again with this year’s shortlisted entries.
“This year DIAS marks the 75th anniversary of the School of Cosmic Physics and we will be launching a full programme of events later in the month. As part of these celebrations, we will be awarding a special spot prize to a photograph that is entered into the competition that depicts the work of one or more of the research areas carried out at the School. These research areas include everything from solar and stellar physics and space weather to planetary science and star formation.
“We’re calling on people to get creative. Whether you have professional equipment, or simply just a smartphone – the competition is open to everyone over the age of 18 to enter. We look forward to seeing what astronomical events have inspired people this year, and what they have captured.”