\n The South Downs National Park has launched its annual astrophotography competition, now in its seventh year, to celebrate the wonder of the night sky and the wildlife that thrives beneath it.\n<\/p>\n
\n One of only 27 International Dark Sky Reserves worldwide, the South Downs offers some of the clearest, most awe-inspiring views of the cosmos in England.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ancient Light – the overall winner of the 2025 SDNPA astrophotography competition. (Image: Michael Steven Harris)\n<\/p>\n
\n Elinor Newman, who leads the Dark Skies Festival for the National Park, said: “It\u2019s so exciting to be launching our competition for the seventh year running and we can\u2019t wait to see some out-of-this-world photography.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Anyone and everyone can take part in our astrophotography contest and you don\u2019t need expensive equipment.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The photographs always go down a storm at the Dark Skies Festival and really do inspire tens of thousands of people about the wonders of the universe.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The dark skies are so important for both people and nature and it would be great to get some more shots of the beautiful nocturnal wildlife that depend on the darkness in the South Downs.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Four Horses of the Apocalypse – previous runner-up in the Life at Night category. (Image: Ian Brierley)\n<\/p>\n
\n The winning images will be showcased during the National Park\u2019s popular Dark Skies Festival, which returns from February 11 to 21, 2027.\n<\/p>\n
\n The festival features events across Sussex and Hampshire and this year will focus on the moon.\n<\/p>\n
\n Judges for the competition include Ms Newman, “Dark Skies” Dan Oakley, an expert on the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, Vicki Wells, a National Park Authority member and former BBC Sky at Night producer, and “Astro” Abby Moule, an award-winning astrophotographer.\n<\/p>\n
\n Abby said: “For me, a great astrophotograph is about far more than a technically perfect night sky.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I’m looking for images that tell a story, evoke a sense of wonder and make me stop and look a little longer.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I love photographs that connect the landscape beneath our feet with the extraordinary universe above us, giving us a sense of our place within it.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Technical skill is important, of course, but it’s creativity, thoughtful composition and that elusive emotional connection that really make an image stand out.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Moonlit Silver Studded Blue – highly commended in a previous competition. (Image: Anthony Whitbourn)\n<\/p>\n
\n The competition features five categories: South Downs Dark Skyscapes, Magnificent Moon, South Downs Life at Night, From the South Downs to Deep Space, and the Meteoric Mobile Phone Category.\n<\/p>\n
\n The deadline for entries is midnight on Monday, January 11.\n<\/p>\n