Laois photographer shortlisted in astrophotography competition

MOUNTRATH-based Laois photographer Paul Fetherstonhaugh has been shortlisted in a competition celebrating the beauty of Ireland’s night sky.

Organised by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the 2026 Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition invites the public to vote for their favourite photo as part of the Public Choice Award.

Paul’s image is Heart Nebula IC1805, displaying the Heart Nebula located 7,500 light years from Earth in the constellation of Cassiopeia.

Among this year’s entries are images depicting the Moon rising in alignment with the Poolbeg Chimneys, the Milky Way arching over Ireland’s coastline, aurora lighting up the Pollnabrone Dolmen, as well as comets, distant galaxies, star trails, and detailed views of the Moon’s surface.

Speaking about this year’s entries, Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and registrar of DIAS, said: “Each year the submissions to Reach for the Stars exceed all expectation in their creativity and technical ability, and this year the standard has been raised once again.

“It is fantastic to see so many submissions from across Ireland, and I would encourage everyone to visit the website and have your say in voting for the image that stands out to you!” Alongside the Public Choice Award, overall winners of the competition will be selected by an expert judging panel, bringing together experience from science, media and public engagement.

The panel this year includes Dan Dennison, visual editor, the Irish Times; Dr. Donnacha O’Driscoll, president of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, senior professor and head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Niamh Shaw, scientist, engineer, and one of Ireland’s leading science communicators.

The winning photographers in the ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’ categories, as selected by the judging panel, will receive a prize package that includes: Publication of their images on the DIAS and Irish Times websites; passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland; a €500 voucher for photographic equipment; and a digital subscription to the Irish Times.

The winner of the Public Choice category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the ‘Night Sky in Your Hand’ category will each receive a voucher to the value of €250 for photographic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.

Two runner-up prizes from each of the ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’ categories will also be awarded vouchers to the value of €250 for photographic equipment and passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.

Winning and highly commended images will also be included in exhibitions at DIAS Headquarters in Dublin and at DIAS Dunsink Observatory later in 2026.

DIAS’s ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition is being run in partnership with the Irish Times and is sponsored by MKC Communications and The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.

The full exhibition is available to view online at www.reachforthestars.ie/exhibition where visitors can take their time exploring the images before casting their vote. Voting is open until 5pm on 13 July 2026 and is limited to one vote per person.