The subject of the photograph must be the night sky. This can include astronomical objects, celestial events and areas of the night sky. Landscape or other forms can be included. This category does not include images taken through telescopes.
Winner
Oberon Kenobi
Marley Buttler, Western Australia
An amphitheatre of pandani watch on as the galactic core, swathed in airglow, rises over an alpine lake, nestled in a rugged Tassie mountain range. Lady Aurora dances under the Magellanic Clouds. This image was captured on a crisp night in one of Tasmania’s more rugged and majestic multi-day walks.
Judges' Comments
An oft-photographed scene captured in unique conditions. The colour palette of landscape mirrored in the aurora is stunning.
Runner-Up
Crown of Light
Kavan Chay, New Zealand
The auroral display from this night was a global phenomenon, with many people getting their chance to witness it. I drove to these sea stacks just outside of Christchurch, hopeful that I’d get the Aurora Australis shot that I’d been searching for. I think I managed it with this.
Judges' Comments
A beautiful circular composition, with sky and land framing the juxtaposition of rough ocean and calming aurora. The central pinnacle continues to draw us around and back into the horizon and sky.