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The South Downs National Park astrophotography competition has announced the winner as a captivating image of the Milky Way.
The victorious photograph in the Starry Skyscapes group featured a stunning nighttime view of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters in East Sussex. Titled “Galactic Bay,” the photo was taken by Giles Embleton-Smith from Eastbourne.
One of the judges, Steve Broadbent, from Hampshire Astronomical Group, said: “This image evokes a wonderful atmosphere and shows just how spectacular the stars can be in the South Downs National Park on a clear night.”
I am very pleased and honored to have won. The conditions for shooting at Cuckmere Haven were perfect, with the Milky Way aligned perfectly over the old wooden breakwaters.
The second-place winner in the skyscape category was an impressive photo of Cissbury Ring – a historic hill fort in Sussex that dates back over 5,000 years. The photo was captured by Carl Gough from Littlehampton.
In addition, he achieved first place in the Nature At Night category for his photograph of the heathland surrounding Burton and Chingford ponds near Petworth in West Sussex.
Elinor Newman, a judge and astrophysicist at the national park, explained that lowland heath, a highly uncommon habitat, is beautifully depicted at night in this event.
“Our heathlands are among the most secluded areas in the national park, providing a true depiction of the night sky. These stunning plants are home to a variety of animals, such as sand lizards and nightjars.”
Mr Gough said: “The National Park offers so many opportunities for someone like me that has a passion for astronomy and nature.
I can see the Milky Way without any assistance, stretching across the heathland, extending from the land to the sea, and looming over the well-known white cliffs.
“The heather in this photo caught my attention – nothing symbolizes heathland quite like heather, and nothing represents the South Downs quite like heathland.”
The second place winner in the nature category was “A Sky Full Of Stars” by Lorcan Taylor-Hood. The photo was captured at Warren Hill dew pond on the Eastbourne downland.
Nathan Hill from Emsworth, Hampshire captured the winning shot in the Magnificent Moon category, featuring a harvest moon rising over Racton Ruins near Chichester, West Sussex.
Dan Oakley, the dark sky specialist at the national park, praised the image, saying it is exceptional and well-composed. He noted the skill and challenge of capturing movement in astrophotography, comparing it to a cannonball being shot.
The second place winner in the moon category was a photograph of the full moon captured behind Beachy Head lighthouse, located near Eastbourne. The photo was also taken by Mr Embleton-Smith.
The judges recognized four images for their exceptional quality, which included “There Was A Bear On Litlington Road” featuring a portion of the Great Bear constellation mirrored in a flooded street, and “Orion Over Black Pond” captured at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, both by photographer Steve Geliot.
The Power Above, depicting the Milky Way over the Hiorne Tower at Arundel, by Janette Britton, was also highly commended, together with Golden Moonrise, another photo taken by Mr Embleton-Smith, which captured a golden moon behind Belle Tout lighthouse reflecting over the sea at Seven Sisters.
– The winning will be shared and displayed during the South Downs National Park’s Dark Skies Festival, which runs from February 10 to 18.
Source: independent.co.uk
