🌟Winner 🌟

Rod Prazeres

Target: SNR G013.3–01.3

- Telescope: Askar 130PHQ
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro
- Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband Hα & OIII (HOO)
- Integration Time: 30h 10′

Judges Comment: 

Very well captured and processed! Technically this image looks near perfection, and I have no suggestions when it comes to color/stretch/noise reduction. My only nitpick is the composition doesn't flow. To my eye, you could greatly improve the flow by presenting the image vertically, rotating it 90 degrees counter-clockwise. This gives the image a 'base' and then the eye follows the blue streaks upwards to the dark nebula now in the upper-left.

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Highly Commended 

Michael Janus Manzano

Target: Messier 24

Camera: Canon R8, Cooled
Optics: Skywatcher Quattro 200P 800mm f/3.9
Mount: Skywatcher AZEQ5, guided
Stack: 36 x 240s at ISO400, broadband
Calibration: Darks, Flats, Dark Flats
Average Sensor Temp: ~15 degC
Stacked in Deep Sky Stacker. Processed in StarTools and Affinity Photo

Judges Comment: 

The photo immediately has the 'WOW' factor! Great job with the star field. It is busy, but due to the processing you can really feel that it is thousands of individual stars. The high stretch/ high saturation really works for this photo. I'm not sure if you have the ability to rotate your camera on your newt, but I would have preferred a slightly different rotation so that IC1284 wasn't so squashed on the right side of the composition.

 SMART TELESCOPE DEEP SKY 

🌟Winner 🌟

Patrick Madden

Target: SL17 – Dark Wolf Nebula

- Constellation Scorpius
- SeeStar S50
- 250mm focal length.

Judges Comment: 

This object works really well in high contrast black and white as you presented it. Not sure how it was processed, but I think it could use a bit more sharpening or less noise reduction.

Highly Commended 

Stewart Blackshaw

Target: Messier 42

- Telescope: Seestar S50
- AltAz Mod
- 1 hour of data (360 x 10 sec subs)
- SIRIL, Adobe Lightroom and Topaz AI 

Judges Comment: 

Very nice processing and good choices with the composition/rotation.

NIGHTSCAPES

🌟Winner 🌟

Dennis Mellican

- Lens: Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB
- Camera: Sony A7RII
- Mount: Benro Polaris

Judges Comment: 

I absolutely love the magnified sky perspective in this image. Also the milky way processing is top notch. Beautiful colours and excellent framing. Obviously a lot of attention to detail is displayed here both in the capture process and editing.

It shows how much difference it makes when the method of editing is front of mind during the capture process on location.

I love how the lighting on the hut nicely separates it from the dark mountain range in the background. The lighting is generally good although I’d like to see a little less on the centre of the hut and perhaps more on the edge just to draw the eye across the image. That would create a little more mystique ..!!!!

But overall, the composition, subject matter and technique is excellent. 

Highly Commended 

Paul Tilley

- Nikon Z8 camera 
- LAOWA 12mm Zero D wide angle manual lens
- Nikon F2Z adapter
- Single shot.

Shot setting were:
- 15 sec shutter speed
- ISO 3200
- Focal length 12mm

Judges Comment: 

For a single shot image I think this is excellent work. A beautifully balanced image with the focus on the lit tree on the lower third. I love how the light pollution glow actually adds some extra drama to the other side small tree which is also subtly and gently lit.
The wide angle lens distortion isn’t taking away from this image as they often do, but at the same time you’ve captured a lot of area in the milky way core. Excellent work. 

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

🌟Winner 🌟

Doug Edwards

Target: SNR G013.3–01.3

- Camera: Nikon Z6III
- Lens: AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Focal Ratio: f/2.8
- Exposure: 5s
I- SO: 800
- Single 5s untracked 

Judges Comment: 

Beautiful composition. I love the detail in the Comet’s tail as well as the smattering of stars showing through the twilight sky. The ethereal nature of comets is highlighted in this image. A real standout!

Highly Commended 

Rod Prazeres 

Target: Moon

- Telescope: William Optics Redcat 51
- Camera: ZWO ASI662MC
- Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro

Judges Comment: 

I love the effort in editing this composite image showing the progression of the lunar eclipse. Each individual image is nicely exposed and the detail and the colour are outstanding. It did however need to have the total eclipse phase highlighted in the middle of the image for a better effect. Very nicely done!