This page was generated automatically; to read the article in its original source, you can visit the link below: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/01/21/campus/northwestern-grad-student-imran-sultan-wins-international-photography-competition-again/and if you wish to remove this article from our site, please get in touch with us [ad_1] During a period when many occupied themselves by staring down, perhaps at a device or a new baking recipe, fifth-year physics graduate student Imran Sultan’s family opted to look upwards. “In the initial months of the pandemic, I was living with my family, and we made the decision to acquire a telescope,” Sultan shared. “As soon as I gazed up at (the stars) with my own eyes, I felt a strong urge to capture them and share them with everyone I knew.” Photography rapidly transformed into his favorite pastime during the pandemic, Sultan stated, prompting him to buy his first camera — a Canon DSLR. This choice seamlessly connected with his graduate studies in cosmology, a field he was just starting at that moment. Currently, Sultan has won The Royal Society Publishing Photography Contest twice, with both of his winning images in the astronomy section. His latest victory was revealed on December 4. Even after his consecutive accolades, Sultan continues to press on. His image capturing last Monday's lunar occlusion of Mars was showcased on NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day platform. Until now, Sultan possessed minimal photography experience apart from a camera he received as a child. One thing Sultan discovered while teaching himself photography is that photographing the stars is a far greater challenge than merely snapping a picture of the sky on a Polaroid. In a metropolis like Chicago, illumination can combine to create light pollution, which detracts attention from celestial phenomena. As he pursued his graduate studies, Sultan learned the difficult way that light pollution and nighttime photography do not coexist well. “It's advisable to drive a couple of hours out of the city to see the stars,” Sultan noted. “My earliest memory (with photography) is driving out there and witnessing more stars than I’ve ever observed in my life.” Sultan portrayed light pollution as a “dome” due to its shape around the originating city when observed from afar. He mentioned that everything from high-rises to streetlamps can add to the contamination. To mitigate the effects of light pollution, many techniques can be employed by photographers, Sultan expressed. One of his personal favorites is activating his camera’s filter. “The major benefit of filters is that I don't have to travel three hours outside Evanston to pursue my photography,” Sultan mentioned. “That's truly a game changer.” Filters are particularly useful when capturing a nebula, a cloud of gas and dust. Since nebulae emit specific light wavelengths, camera filters can enhance those to make them stand out. Sultan’s photo of twin emission nebulae earned him the Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition award in the astronomy category in 2024. He described one nebula as having a heart shape, which led astronomers to name its twin the “soul” nebula. Sultan stated that the warm red and blue light emitted by the nebulae contributes to their human characteristics like hearts and souls. While Sultan cannot select a favorite image, he mentioned that his most cherished is one that has not been showcased in any photo competitions. This image features the adjacent Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy, highlighting light from the Milky Way in the forefront. Since witnessing the Milky Way can be challenging even in areas with little to no light pollution, Sultan indicated that he journeyed to “the darkest skies in America” to capture the photograph. He clarified that the most suitable locations for nighttime images tend to be the most isolated. Sultan particularly enjoys the southwestern landscapes of New Mexico’s deserts and the volcanic observatories in Hawaii. Sultan is presently conducting research at NU’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics. CIERA’s Education and Outreach Coordinator James Schottelkotte was impressed by Sultan’s winning fusion of artistry and science. “I was like, ‘That’s an exceptional picture. Oh, it’s Imran’s!’” Schottelkotte expressed. “Our Slack was inundated with reactions to his article and to his image … So people truly value him in the center (CIERA) as well.” Schottelkotte’s responsibility is to enhance CIERA’s astronomy research's accessibility, whether through high school summer programs or public presentations. Other staff members share this aim, like Director of Operations Kari Frank, who stated that she feels revitalized when “engaging with individuals who aren’t astronomers but possess an interest in astronomy.” Sultan also strives to make astronomy more approachable. His ultimate ambition for his photography is to provide viewers with a decent visual representation of concepts they may have learned in their science textbooks. “The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light-years away. Hence, it took 2.5 million years for that light to depart, traverse through space, only to arrive at your eye,” he remarked. “For me (photography) is a truly remarkable means to feel the connection between us humans and the cosmos.” Email: [email protected] Related Stories: — Nights at Dearborn Observatory, CIERA Astronomer Evenings bring astronomical education to the public — Prof. Wen-fai Fong named one of Astronomy Magazine’s “Rising Stars in Astronomy” —Physics and astronomy professor awarded 2023 New Horizons in Physics Prize [ad_2] This page was created programmatically, to read the article in its original location you can go to the link bellow: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/01/21/campus/northwestern-grad-student-imran-sultan-wins-international-photography-competition-again/and if you want to remove this article from our site please contact us