WINNING ASTRO PHOTOS
GREAT CANON IMAGES FROM THE ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
01 CELESTIAL EQUATOR ABOVE FIRST WORLD WAR TRENCH MEMORIAL BY LOUIS LEROUX-GEREU SKYSCAPES: RUNNER UP
Louis’ brilliant star trails above the preserved First World War trenches in the Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park came runner-up in this year’s contest. His final image was composited from no less than 577 exposures, each 30 secs long and taken on his astro-modified Canon EOS 6D with a wideangle Samyang 14mm lens. This haunting image contrasts the conflict-scarred landscape with the ethereal beauty of the stars.
Lens Samyang XP 14mm f/2.4
Exposure 30 secs, f/3.2, ISO1000 (577 exposures stacked)
02 AURORA OVER THE GREAT POLLET SEA ARCH BY BRENDAN ALEXANDER
Shooting with his Canon EOS 6D and a Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG, Brendan took two exposures, one at 7.5 secs for the sky and another at 5.5 secs for motion in the foreground, and stitched them together. He told us, “I took this photo after a Coronal Mass Ejection which allowed the aurorae to be seen in the UK and Ireland.”
Lens Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG
Exposure 7.5 secs (sky), 5.5 secs (foreground), f/2.8, ISO6400
03 MOON AT NIGHTFALL BY HAOHAN SUN
Haohun’s mesmerizing moonrise over the Xinghai Bay Bridge in China was Highly Commended in this year’s contest. He tells us, “Atmospheric extinction alters the hue and brightness of the moon when it is low on the horizon. In this photo, you can see the moon appears brighter and less red as it rises in the sky.” The composition of Haohun’s photo is superb, capturing the striking difference between urban construction and the ineffable mystery of the natural world.
Lens Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
Exposure 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO1600 (various stacked)
04 CRESCENT MOON IN A MAGICAL SUNSET BY EDUARDO SCHABERGER POUPEAU
Eduardo’s stellar moon shot is a composite of three exposures taken in Santa Fe, Argentina. Using the crop sensor of his Canon EOS 90D and 60-600mm lens he’s been able to fill the frame with this stunning celestial scene. He told us, “The moon had 16% of its surface illuminated with clouds appearing an inten
