The astrophotography competition presents spectacular heavenly images

With his love of science fiction and photography, it seems that Ian Inverarity has always been destined to become involved with astrophotography.

Key points:

• A mechanical engineer from Adelaide has won this year’s David Malin astrophotography award
• Amateur astrophotography is booming as a hobby as technology becomes more advanced and affordable
• This year’s competition entered the smartphone category for the first time

Mechanical engineers have been capturing the wonders of the night sky for several years now, traveling to regional South Australia in search of the perfect shot.

He said the addictive pursuit took him to Gawler, north of Adelaide, about once a month.

And many nights and hours in darkness have paid off, with his photo of an old gum tree at Gawler shrouded in mist before the Milky Way picks up this year’s David Malin astrophotography award in New South Wales.

“It’s relatively unusual. Out of the seven years or so I’ve been going there, I’ve only encountered fog at night,” Inverarity said.

“So I’m very lucky, because it makes a big difference to the photo.”

This photo of the Shaun Robertson nebula 4,000 light-years away won the deep sky category.(Provided: Shaun Robertson)

Amateur competitions are held every year – provided there is no COVID-19 disruption – at the Astrofest Central West Astronomical Society festival in Parkes in central west NSW.

The name of the competition, David Malin, said this hobby is growing rapidly as increasingly sophisticated cameras become more affordable for the average participant.

“This year includes the most amazing series of images I have ever seen,” said Dr Malin.

“It’s increasing every year.”

The theme of this year’s competition, which was won by Jong Lee’s Origin of Stars, is Alignments.(Provided: Jong Lee)

Dr Malin said amateurs have access to much better technology than when he used to work at the Coonabarabran observatory.

“Most of my technicians are in a dark room, using chemicals and dishes,” he says.

Nearly 200 photos were entered in the competition, with this year included in the inaugural smartphone category.

Photo of Lachlan Wilson Gems of Outer Carina won the junior category.(Provided: Lachlan Wilson)

Lucy Yunxi Hu’s photo of a dead tree stump on the shores of Lake Eucambene in the Snowy Mountains won the phone category — her first entry into the competition.

The Canberra-based researcher says the particular hobby is becoming more popular.

“Astrophotographers around the world are currently exploring opportunities to use smartphones,” said Hu.

“It gives more people the opportunity to take astro photos.”

Celestial River Bifurcation photo of Lucy Yunxi Hu won the smartphone category.(Provided: Lucy Yunxi Hu)

CSIRO Parkes Observatory scientist John Sarkissian said the winners from each category will be exhibited at the Parkes radio telescope facility, also known as The Dish, for next year.

“Photography allows people to see the night sky in a way you can’t see with the naked eye,” he said.

“When you take long exposure photos, you bring out details that you don’t normally see, colors that our eyes can’t detect.”

Stefan Buda Mare Crisium’s photo is a lunar crater and won the Solar System category.(Included: Stefan Buda)

Sarkissian says it’s nice to see the hobby become popular and amateur photographers take better pictures than professionals could 10 years ago.

“When you look at the photos, you can understand why,” he said.

“People are always amazed by what’s over their heads.”

This photo of a nebula in the constellation Scorpius by Jarrod Koh won the broad field category.(Provided: Jarrod Koh)

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