Waterford astro-photographer shortlisted for national award

Brian O’Halloran from Annestown, Co. Waterford, has been selected for the next stage of the prestigious ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition.

The competition aims to find the best astronomy photographs taken in Ireland over the past year.

Mr O’Halloran has been shortlisted in the ‘Out of this World – Planetary’ category for his image, ‘The Devil Comet Nears Perihelion’.

Brian said, "Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a Halley-type comet that approaches us every 70 years or so. As it has entered the inner solar system, it has let off huge eruptions of dust and gas that have caused it to brighten greatly, in the process of which it had a horned appearance that gave it the 'Devil Comet' nickname. 

"During the spring of 2024, it glided across the evening dusk sky. This was my final attempt to image it before it slipped into the sun's glare, not to be seen again until the 2090s from Ireland."

Over 230 images were submitted to the competition in total this year – the most ever received – with 50 selected for the shortlist and public vote. Entrants were invited to submit entries across five distinct categories in the competition.

While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries in the coming weeks, an online vote has already been launched, so members of the public can also have their say.

All shortlisted images can now be viewed on the ‘Reach for the Stars’ website, www.reachforthestars.ie, and members of the public can cast their vote for their favourite image.

Commenting, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “I’m so impressed by the level of creativity and skill we have amongst photographers in Waterford and right across the country. This year has seen the highest number of entries in the history of the competition, and we hope to see the interest in our night skies continue to grow.”