• Undated handout photo issued by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) of Galactic Bay by Giles Embleton-Smith which was the winner of the Starry Skyscapes category in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition. Issue date: Tuesday February 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ARTS Astrophotography. Photo credit should read: Giles Embleton-Smith/SDNPA/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
    Undated handout photo issued by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) of Galactic Bay by Giles Embleton-Smith which was the winner of the Starry Skyscapes category in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition. Issue date: Tuesday February 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ARTS Astrophotography. Photo credit should read: Giles Embleton-Smith/SDNPA/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
  • At Its Core, by Carl Gough, was runner-up in the Starry Skyscapes category. PA
    At Its Core, by Carl Gough, was runner-up in the Starry Skyscapes category. PA
  • Heather and Milky Way by Carl Gough, winner of the Nature At Night category. PA
    Heather and Milky Way by Carl Gough, winner of the Nature At Night category. PA
  • A Sky Full Of Stars by Lorcan Taylor-Hood, runner-up in the Nature At Night category. PA
    A Sky Full Of Stars by Lorcan Taylor-Hood, runner-up in the Nature At Night category. PA
  • Harvest Moon Over Racton Ruins by Nathan Hill, winner of the Magnificent Moon category. PA
    Harvest Moon Over Racton Ruins by Nathan Hill, winner of the Magnificent Moon category. PA
  • Full Moon Behind Beachy Head Lighthouse by Giles Embleton-Smith, runner-up in the Magnificent Moon category. PA
    Full Moon Behind Beachy Head Lighthouse by Giles Embleton-Smith, runner-up in the Magnificent Moon category. PA
  • The Power Above by Janette Britton, which was highly commended in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition. PA
    The Power Above by Janette Britton, which was highly commended in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition. PA
  • There Was A Bear On Litlington Road by Steve Geliot, another highly commended image. PA
    There Was A Bear On Litlington Road by Steve Geliot, another highly commended image. PA
  • Golden Moonrise by Giles Embleton-Smith, also highly commended. PA
    Golden Moonrise by Giles Embleton-Smith, also highly commended. PA
  • Orion Over Black Pond at RSPB Pulborough Brooks by Steve Geliot, also highly commended. PA
    Orion Over Black Pond at RSPB Pulborough Brooks by Steve Geliot, also highly commended. PA

The South Downs National Park astrophotography competition: Winning images revealed


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A "spell-binding" image of the Milky Way has been announced as the winner of Britain's South Downs National Park astrophotography competition.

The photo, winner in the Starry Skyscapes category, is a night-time image of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters in East Sussex.

It was captured by Giles Embleton-Smith, from Eastbourne, and is called Galactic Bay.

The winning images will be displayed during the South Downs National Park's Dark Skies Festival, which runs from February 10 to 18.

Updated: February 06, 2024, 2:16 PM