A competition aiming to promote astrophotography in India has borne out some incredible images.
The “Aperture” Indian Astrophotographer of the Year 2023, now in its second year, has announced its winners of the competition which included five categories: Solar System, Nightscape, Deep Sky, Best Women Astrophotographer, and Best Mobile Astrophotographer.
Only Indians, people living in India, or Indians living overseas were eligible to enter the photo competition. 142 people participated submitting a total of 751 images.
Winner of the Solar System category. An eclipse on Jupiter. | Sona Shahani Shukla.Shortlisted for the Solar System category. The Ring of Fire eclipse. | Sandeep MathurWinner of the Deep Sky category. The Garlic Pop Nebula. | Devesh PandeShortlisted for the Solar System category. The International Space Station crosses the Moon. | Shivam BansalRunner up of the Deep Sky category. The Eagle Nebula. | Pravas Deria
Astrophotography has been gaining popularity in India, the most populous country in the world, with the instruments required becoming more accessible and affordable.
At the beginning of this year, India officially got its first dark sky reserve: Hanle Dark Sky Reserve where you can also find the Indian Astronomical Observatory.
Shortlisted in the Nightscape category. A “cosmic” butterfly. | Naveen ChellaiahWinner of the Best Mobile Astrophotographer category. The Milky Way Galaxy and the Rajgad Fort. | Aditya KinjawadekarWinner of the Nightscape category. The Milky Way Galaxy above Stat Tso Lake. | Soumya BanerjeeWinner of Best Women Astrophotographer. The Milky Way Galaxy shined above a mountain. | Vidya VasudevanShortlisted for Best Women Astrophotographer. The Pelican Nebula. | Sona Shahani ShuklaShortlisted for the Deep Sky category. NGC 7000. | Harshwardhan PathakShortlisted for the Deep Sky category. The Veil Nebula. | Abhinav Maroti VitekarRunner up of the Nightscape category. A starry Hanle night. | Thiruchitrambalam MRunner up in the Solar System category. Apparently showing an eclipse of the Sun, the picture is called “Coronal streamers”. | Nihal S AminShortlisted for the Best Mobile Astrophotographer category. “Under the celestial canopy forest roads.” | Subham Rath
The winners will be exhibited at the M. P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata, India from December 31, 2023, to January 7, 2024. For more, head to the competition’s website.
