Athenry photographer captures outer space

AN ATHENRY photographer was a runner-up in an astrophotography competition organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Drawing 140 entries from across Ireland, ‘Reach for the Stars’ showcased extraordinary images of the night sky, revealing the beauty of the cosmos through the lens of both amateur and experienced photographers.

David Mackie from Athenry was the runner-up in the Out of this World category, with his image A Bubble in Outer Space.

The image captures the Bubble Nebula, a glowing shell of gas located approximately 10,000 light years from Earth.

Another Galway photographer from Renvyle, Connemara Ekaterina Moskovskova was the winner in the Out of this World category.

Her image As Above, So Below captured a couple standing on a moonlit beach beneath the glow of the aurora. Reflected in the wet sand below, the stars and Northern Lights created what judges described as a striking mirror between earth and sky.

“Each year, Reach for the Stars reveals a new perspective on Ireland’s night skies,” commented Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS.

“The photographs submitted this year showcase not only incredible technical skill but also creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural wonder above us,” he added.

The winning photographers will be recognised at an awards ceremony at DIAS HQ, in Dublin in the coming weeks.

Their photos, alongside a selection of shortlisted images, will go on public display in a special exhibition at a later date, giving visitors the chance to explore some of Ireland’s most spectacular night sky photography up close