Cavan astro-photographer among shortlisted for award

Aaron Kelly from Ballyjamesduff, has had two of his photographs selected for the next stage of the prestigious ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition.

The competition aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the past year, and one of the talented local amateur snapper's latest shots is of 'The Spire of Lloyd' in Meath.

Aaron captured his incredible image using a Nikon Z7ii and a Sigma 150mm-600mm lens.

“I had pictured this shot in my head for a long time and it took many visits due to weather conditions and access to the shooting location to obtain this shot,” Aaron explained of this picture which has been selected in the 'Back on Earth – Landmark' category of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) run competition.

The second photo is of the moon, taken from Ballyjamesduff, and is a composite image of the Moon with stars.

“It's something I had been trying to achieve for a while as it takes the right exposure to blend well. I think it gives a real contrast to the Moon and hanging on my wall at home,” he says of the photo, again taken using a Nikon Z7ii Sigma 150mm to 600mm lens.

A photo by Aaron of ‘The Heart Nebula’ was put on show after it was selected as a runner-up in the ‘Out of this World’ category in the competition in 2022.

While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries in the coming weeks, an online vote was launched today (June 13), so members of the public can also have their say.

All shortlisted images can be viewed on the ‘Reach for the Stars’ website www.reachforthestars.ie, and members of the public can cast their vote for their favourite image.

Over 230 images were submitted to the competition in total this year – the most ever received – with 50 selected for the shortlist and public vote.

Entrants were invited to submit entries across five distinct categories in the competition, including images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene.

The winning images selected by the judging panel and the public vote will be announced in July, and an outdoor exhibition will be staged by DIAS to showcase the best images.

Alongside the winner of the Public Choice Award, the overall winners will be chosen by the judging panel for ‘Reach for the Stars’, which includes: Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS; Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor of The Irish Times; Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, Director, Alice Public Relations.

Commenting, Prof Gallagher of DIAS said photographers have shown “great creativity and technical skill” capturing everything, from stars and galaxies that are millions of light years away to stunning scenery back on earth.

“We hope the people of Cavan will get involved again this year and have their say by voting for their favourite image.”

Votes for the Public Choice Award are restricted to one vote per person, and voting will close at midday on Friday, July 5.