A couple silhouetted against the glow of the aurora on a remote Galway beach. Ancient monastery walls emerging from fog beneath a sky dusted with stars. A distant nebula, thousands of light-years from Earth, glowing against the darkness of space.
These are just some of the breathtaking scenes captured by the winners of this year’s Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition, organised by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).
Drawing more than 140 entries from photographers across Ireland, the competition showcases extraordinary images of the night sky, revealing the beauty of the cosmos through the lens of both amateur and experienced photographers.
Among this year’s winners was Ekaterina Moskovskova from Renvyle, Co. Galway, winning in the Night Sky in Your Hand category. Her image As Above, So Below captured a couple standing on a moonlit beach beneath the glow of the aurora. Reflected in the wet sand below, the stars and Northern Lights created what judges described as a striking mirror between earth and sky.
In the Out of this World category, John Walsh of Sallins, Co. Kildare was the winner, impressing the judging panel with his image Horsehead & Flame Nebulae, an intricate image revealing one of the most recognisable regions of the night sky. Set amongst clouds of glowing hydrogen gas and coloured reflection nebulae, the image captures detail in a celestial object located hundreds of light years from Earth.
The judges also recognised two runners-up in the category. Anthony Lynch from Dublin 7 was commended for Comet R3 Panstarrs, a striking image of the comet photographed from the cliffs at Portrane, Co. Dublin, while David Mackie from Athenry, Co. Galway was commended for A Bubble in Outer Space, capturing the Bubble Nebula, a glowing shell of gas located approximately 10,000 light-years from Earth.
Closer to home, Babu Mon Melethil Gopinathan Pillai from Cherrywood, Dublin was named the winner in the Back on Earth category with his image Celestial Coast. The image depicts bioluminescent waves washing ashore Ireland’s rugged Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, while the Milky Way arcs high above the ocean. The photographer described the scene as “fleeting harmony between ocean and cosmos; a landscape where science, chance and beauty align.”
The judges selected two runners up for this category, Tom O’Donoghue from Malahide Co. Dublin, and Matthew Kelly from Lahinch, Co. Clare. O’Donoghue’s image, Copper Coast Milky Way, was taken at Kilfarrisay Beach, Co. Waterford with the milky way visible in night sky between two prominent rocks. Milkyway Beach, Kelly’s image, was taken at Ballydwan Beach, Co. Waterford depicting the Milky Way arching above the horizon.
The public also cast their votes to select a favourite from the shortlisted entries, with Karthik Swaminathan, based in Dublin 7, taking the Public Choice Award for 12 Panel Mosaic Moon. Constructed from multiple images, the photograph reveals the Moon in remarkable detail, transforming it from a familiar object in the night sky into a textured and ancient world.
The winning photographers will be recognised at an awards ceremony at DIAS HQ, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 in the coming weeks. Their photos, alongside a selection of shortlisted images, will go on public display in a special exhibition at a later date, giving visitors the chance to explore some of Ireland’s most spectacular night sky photography up close
Commenting on this year’s competition, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “Each year, Reach for the Stars reveals a new perspective on Ireland’s night skies. The photographs submitted this year showcase not only incredible technical skill but also creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural wonder above us. Whether capturing ancient monuments beneath the stars, the colours of the aurora or distant galaxies far beyond our solar system, these photographers have given us a glimpse of a universe that is both vast and beautiful. We are delighted to celebrate their achievements."
This year’s winners were selected by an expert judging panel, including Dan Dennison, Visual Editor, Irish Times; Dr Donncha O’Driscoll, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, Engineer, and one of Ireland’s leading Science Communicators.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Professor Peter Gallagher said, "What struck the judging panel this year was the storytelling behind the photographs. These images capture fleeting moments that most of us would never see with the naked eye, from the glow of the aurora reflected on a Galway beach to distant nebulae hidden deep within our galaxy. They remind us that moments of extraordinary beauty can be found both above our heads and in the landscapes around us. The technical standard was exceptional, but the winning images stood out because they sparked a sense of wonder. They encourage us to pause, look up and appreciate the universe we are part of."
DIAS’ Reach for the Stars competition is run in partnership with The Irish Times and is sponsored by MKC Communications and the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.
