David Mackie’s entry, A Bubble in Outer Space, has been shortlisted within the Out of this World class of the Reach for the Stars Astrophotography Competition.
AN ATHENRY photographer has been shortlisted within the 2026 Reach for the Stars Astrophotography Competition.
Nine entries from six Galway photographers have been shortlisted throughout three classes within the competitors, which has been organised by the School of Cosmic Physics on the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).
‘A Bubble in Outer Space’, a picture belonging to Athenry’s David Mackie, has been shortlisted within the Out of this World class. This class is for photographs of astronomical objects, together with the solar, moon, planets, and deep-sky objects comparable to nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
From the moon rising in alignment with the Poolbeg Chimneys and the Milky Way arching over Ireland’s rugged shoreline, to aurora lighting up the monuments, the entries to this yr’s competitors have highlighted the wealthy and various magnificence and surprise of Ireland’s night time skies.
All the shortlisted photographs can be found to view by visiting www.reachforthestars.ie. Members of the general public are additionally invited to make use of the web site to vote for his or her favorite picture as a part of the Public Choice Award. Voting is open till 5pm on Monday July 13.
“Each year the submissions to Reach for the Stars exceed all expectation in their creativity and technical ability, and this year the standard has been raised once again,” mentioned Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS.
“It is fantastic to see so many submissions from across Ireland, and I would encourage everyone to visit the website and have your say in voting for the image that stands out to you.”
The general winners will likely be chosen by a judging panel, from THE science, media and public engagement sectors. The panel this yr consists of Dan Dennison, Visual Editor with The Irish Times; Dr. Donnacha O’Driscoll, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr. Niamh Shaw, an engineer, scientist and author.
The profitable photographers may have their photographs printed on The Irish Times and DIAS web sites, be given passes to the three Astronomical Observatories of Ireland websites, and can obtain a €500 voucher for photographic tools in addition to a digital subscription to The Irish Times.
The winners of the Public Choice class will every obtain a €250 voucher for photographic tools and passes to the three Astronomical Observatories of Ireland websites.