Stars shine in photo competition

Stars shine in photo competition

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People’s Choice award winner Stars ‘n Storms by Grahame Kelaher.

Curtin University hosted the annual Astrofest event last weekend where children and adults had the chance to see some of WA’s best astrophotography and learn about the universe.

It was the eighth Astrofest to date since it first began in 2009.

About 3500 people turned up on the evening despite the overcast weather, which is not conducive to stargazing.

Dr David Malin and professional astronomers Professor David Quinn and Professor Andreas Wicenec judged the evening’s astrophotography competition.

More than 200 West Australian photos were submitted to the competition and judges said it was the hardest year yet to narrow down the best.

Competition winners received gift certificates, a trophy and a certificate.

International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) Communications Manager Kirsten Gottschalk said anybody in Perth interested in getting into astronomy could contact the Astronomical Group of Western Australia, the Astronomical Society of Western Australia or the Stargazers Club of WA.

She said ICRAR also made calendars with maps of the night sky and astronomy photographs for each month.

Ms Gottschalk said the best step to starting a career in astronomy would be to look into courses at Curtin University and the University of Western Australia.

See the timelapse video by Dr John Goldsmith, Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker and the GLEAM team here.