When you wish upon a star!
December 10, 2021
When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true, so they say.
Why not start 2022 with a big bang by putting yourself in the running for a prize in our astrophotography competition?
We have three £100 prizes to give away, as well as three £75 runner-up prizes, so there’s never been a better time to capture the dazzling beauty of the night sky!
The deadline for competition entries will be midnight on 12 January, 2022.
Our 10 Dark Sky Discovery Sites are a good place to start stargazing as they offer good public access and great sightlines to explore the wonders of the stars.
Dan Oakley, Lead Ranger and Dark Skies Lead, said: “We’re really excited to be holding our second astrophotography competition after the success of last year’s contest where we had well over 150 incredible images to judge. The South Downs National Park is still one of only 17 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, so it’s a very special status. If you haven’t seen a South Downs skyscape on a clear night, I would encourage you to! It really is an awesome spectacle and develops a powerful sense of connection with the universe that we live in. It doesn’t matter if you’re accomplished astrophotographer or a total novice, we’re keen to see a range of photographs that show off the spectacle of the big universe out there.”
Here are some top tips from Dan to help you make the most of stargazing in the South Downs:
- Check the phase of the moon to plan your trip
- Take a blanket or mat to lie on and wrap up warm.
- Take some snacks and a hot drink
- Take a compass or use the one on your smart phone
- Download a star gazing app
- Allow time for your eyes to adjust – this takes around 20 minutes so preferably put your mobile phone away (at least when not taking pictures if you are using it to photograph)
- Leave no trace – remember to take any rubbish home with you.
For entry details and to download an application form visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/AstroPhotoComp