Mayo photographers advance in DIAS astrophotography competition

FOUR Mayo photographers have advanced to the next stage of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition.

The photographers feature in the online public vote that was launched this week by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar during a private visit to DIAS’s Dunsink Observatory.

The four Mayo photographers included in the online public vote are Conor Dore from Newport, Jonathan Geary from Newport, Mick Bohan from Castlebar and Damien Feeney from Ballina.

Reach for the Stars aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the past year. While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries, an online vote is running over the coming weeks, so members of the public can also have their say.

Members of the public can view all images shortlisted for the competition and cast their vote for their favourite via an online gallery on the DIAS website. Over 170 images have been shortlisted this year – the inaugural year of the competition.

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

Said Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS and a member of the judging panel: “We are blown away by the images submitted to the competition. From stars and galaxies to meteor showers and the moon – there are dozens of fantastic entries. We are delighted to be able to showcase all the eligible submissions online, so that the public can enjoy them too.

“The enthusiasm for the competition has really proven to us the interest there is in astronomy amongst the public, and the many talented photographers that are out there. We encourage people to take a look online and cast their vote for their favourite.”

Votes for the Public Choice Award are restricted to one vote per person, and voting will close at midnight on Sunday, May 9.

View the online gallery and vote here: https://www.dias.ie/astrophotography-competition-public-vote/