![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3854459_6_articleinline_Paul_Fetherstonhaugh_-_Heart_Nebula_IC1805_-_Out_of_this_World_281_29.jpg\" "\\"Paul")
Paul Fetherstonhaugh’s image, ‘Heart Nebula IC1805’, an entry in the 2026 Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. The public is invited to vote for their favourite photo as part of the Public Choice Award.<\/p>\nMOUNTRATH-based Laois photographer Paul Fetherstonhaugh has been shortlisted in a competition celebrating the beauty of Ireland\u2019s night sky.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Paul\u2019s image is Heart Nebula IC1805, displaying the Heart Nebula located 7,500 light years from Earth in the constellation of Cassiopeia.<\/p>\n
Among this year\u2019s entries are images depicting the Moon rising in alignment with the Poolbeg Chimneys, the Milky Way arching over Ireland\u2019s coastline, aurora lighting up the Pollnabrone Dolmen, as well as comets, distant galaxies, star trails, and detailed views of the Moon\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n
Speaking about this year\u2019s entries, Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and registrar of DIAS, said: \u201cEach 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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!\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The panel this year includes Dan Dennison, visual editor, the Irish Times; Dr. Donnacha O\u2019Driscoll, 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\u2019s leading science communicators.<\/p>\n
Paul Fetherstonhaugh’s image, ‘Heart Nebula IC1805’, an entry in the 2026 Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. The public is invited to vote for their favourite photo as part of the Public Choice Award.<\/p>\n
The winning photographers in the \u2018Out of this World\u2019 and \u2018Back on Earth\u2019 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 \u20ac500 voucher for photographic equipment; and a digital subscription to the Irish Times.<\/p>\n
The winner of the Public Choice category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the \u2018Night Sky in Your Hand\u2019 category will each receive a voucher to the value of \u20ac250 for photographic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.<\/p>\n
Two runner-up prizes from each of the \u2018Out of this World\u2019 and \u2018Back on Earth\u2019 categories will also be awarded vouchers to the value of \u20ac250 for photographic equipment and passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.<\/p>\n
Winning and highly commended images will also be included in exhibitions at DIAS Headquarters in Dublin and at DIAS Dunsink Observatory later in 2026.<\/p>\n
DIAS\u2019s \u2018Reach for the Stars\u2019 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.<\/p>\n