The Public Vote for the ‘Reach for the Stars’ Astrophotography Competition is Now Open!

The public vote for the ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is now open! From dazzling aurora displays to spellbinding images of the night sky, the competition, which is in its fifth year, seeks to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland.

Photographed in magnificent detail this year’s shortlisted images, selected across five categories, do not disappoint. They feature a range of stunning and wonder-inducing shots from a comet in the sky above Donegal, to a pink moon over Kerry, and the mesmerising aurora glimpsed above Kildare.

To view all shortlisted images and to vote in the Public Choice Award, check out www.reachforthestars.ie/exhibition. Voting is open until 5 pm on Thursday, 24th July, and is restricted to one vote per person.

Speaking about the quality of entries, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIA,S said:

“We have a truly inspiring selection this year, and many thanks to all those who entered. The quality and variety of images is really excellent, displaying huge technical skill and creativity. We hope the public will get involved again this year and have their say by voting for their favourite image.”

In 2024, almost 5,000 people voted for their favourite astro-photograph.

Alongside the Public Choice Award, the overall winners will be chosen by the judging panel which includes: Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS; Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Dr Lisa McNamee co-founder Space Medicine Ireland, and Alan Betson, Irish Times photographer and multiple winner of the Press Photographer of the Year award.

The winning images selected by the judging panel and the Public Choice Award will be announced in August, with an accompanying outdoor exhibition being held at DIAS HQ on Dublin’s Burlington Road, for a limited time.