“hauntingly lovely” {photograph} of the Milky Manner rising over the ruins of a Tudor mansion has gained the highest prize within the South Downs Nationwide Park astrophotography competitors.
The picture, taken by Richard Murray from Waterlooville, Hampshire, captures the night-time scene at Cowdray ruins in Midhurst, West Sussex, claiming the highest prize within the contest which attracted 60 entries.
In September 1793, whereas it was present process repairs and refurbishments for the upcoming marriage of the eighth Viscount Montague, a devastating fireplace destroyed many of the property, leaving the ruins that stay.
The competitors celebrates the nationwide park’s standing as certainly one of solely 20 Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserves on the planet, which recognises the area as among the finest locations globally to stargaze.
South Downs lead ranger Dan Oakley mentioned of the successful picture: “It’s such a well-framed picture and reveals what the panorama would have been like a few centuries in the past.
“It’s an awesome little chocolate field picture of the South Downs.”
Mr Murray, who wins a £100 prize, mentioned: “We have been blessed with crystal clear skies and I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to seize this shot of the Milky Manner rising behind the Cowdray ruins.
“It demonstrates that you just don’t must journey too removed from city to benefit from the spectacular darkish skies the South Downs Nationwide Park has to supply.
“The nationwide park has such all kinds of lovely landscapes and buildings to {photograph} and is really a particular a part of the UK, each by day and night time.”
‘Beachy Head moonrise’ by Andrew Parker, which claimed the runner-up prize within the South Downs Darkish Skyscapes class
/ PARunner-up in the primary class, was a shot of the moon rising behind Beachy Head lighthouse, close to Eastbourne taken by Andrew Parker, who wins a £75 prize.
Mr Parker, who lives in south east London, mentioned: “Regardless of travelling across the nation to pursue my interest of panorama and astrophotography I nonetheless go to the South Downs greater than most different locations. The skies round Birling Hole are improbable.”
The judges have been wowed by the pictures of a toad crossing a highway close to Cuckmere Haven, in East Sussex, by Peter Brooks from Eastbourne, who wins a £100 prize.
Mr Oakley mentioned: “I like this picture as a result of it’s a bit completely different. It sums up the theme of ‘nature at night time’ and actually highlights the fragility of nature.”
Mr Brooks mentioned: “I took this specific picture to focus on the hazards toads face when migrating again to their breeding ponds.”
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