Shoot for the stars

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS LIGHT UP OUR SKIES

A stunning display of the Milky Way over Cuckmere Haven and a hauntingly beautiful shot of a full moon behind some trees at Chanctonbury Ring are among the winners of this year's astrophotography competition organised by the South Downs National Park.

The South Downs National Park, which released the results ahead of its annual 'Dark Skies Festival' running from 13th-23rd February 2025, is one of only 22 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world and is one of the most accessible places to see incredible clear views of our heavens in the south-east of England.

Giles Embleton-Smith, from Eastbourne, was a double winner in this year's photo contest taking both the top prize in the 'Life at Night' category with his eerie image of the shadows cast by lichen-clad trees at Chanctonbury (above left) and also the 'Magnificent Moon' category with an ethereal shot of a rising Cold Moon at Petworth Park (above right).

Giles, who takes home £200, said: "I love exploring and finding new locations under the dark skies of the South Downs National Park. Chanctonbury Ring and Petworth Park are both beautiful areas offering different perspectives and composition for nightscape photography. I loved capturing these images and I'm absolutely delighted to have won both the magnificent moon and life at night categories in this prestigious competition."

Jamie Fielding, of Angmering, won the dark skyscapes category with his picture of the cosmos over the Cuckmere Valley called 'To Infinity And Beyond'. He said he had been planning the photo for over a year "waiting for the perfect time when the Milky Way rises over the south coast and aligns with the Cuckmere Valley".

"Delighted" with the results, he said he felt "lucky" to have such a dark sky nearby even though it's only miles away from some major towns and cities. "Winning this competition means a lot as there has been some excellent previous winners, so it's great to be recognised alongside them now."

Other stunning entrants included a comet over Arundel Castle, the silhouette of a fellow photographer on the Eastbourne Downs under a starring sky, an aurora over St Hubert's church and a harvest moon at Cowdray Ruins.

Inspired by the above? Maybe it could be you next year. There was also a mobile phone category, won by Emily Birtwistle with her photo of a family stargazing and there were some other great shots including a toad crossing the road. For your own chance to 'snap' some natural art for yourself, this years' festival event theme is 'Glimmers' and festival organisers say they will be celebrating "the sparkling lights of the stars, planets, meteors and moon in the night sky, the flashes of encounters with nocturnal wildlife, the bioluminescence of glow worms and biofluorescence of other life." But also they will be encouraging everyone to become more aware of the small positive moments in our life that instil feelings of happiness, peace, wonder and awe - times when you can just get out on your own, and soak in what's around you.

For more information about the South Downs Annual Dark Skies Festival click HERE.