Particle.news
Download on the App Store

‘Ancient Light’ Wins South Downs Dark Skies Astrophotography Contest

The competition marks the park’s tenth year as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Overview

  • Michael Harris took the top prize for Ancient Light, capturing the Milky Way above an abandoned barn in Balsdean Valley near Brighton.
  • Organisers reported more than 130 entries as part of anniversary events, with the Dark Skies Festival running until 22 February.
  • Judge Dan Oakley praised the winning shot as an incredible and realistic portrayal of the South Downs night-sky experience.
  • Richard Murray won the Life At Night category for Snail Trail To The Stars, featuring a snail beneath The Plough asterism.
  • Nigel Stanbury topped the new South Downs To Deep Space category with Jellyfish Nebula, depicting a supernova remnant about 5,000 light years away in an image built from 22 hours of exposure over three nights.