Jaw-Dropping ‘Blood Moon Rescue’ Among Winning Images In ‘Capture The Dark’ Contest

Tucson, Arizona-based nonprofit the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has revealed the winners of its third annual “Capture the Dark” photography contest.

The selection includes everything from nebulae and galaxies to comets and fireflies from the U.S., China and Australia. However, possibly the most dramatic is an image of rock climbers under a rising total lunar eclipse —a “Blood Moon”—taken in Joshua Tree National Park in California by photographer Chris Olivas.

“We received an unprecedented response to this year’s Capture the Dark Photography Contest,” said Lauren Scorzafava, Communications Manager for the IDA, which seeks to protect the night from ever-increasing light pollution. There were 1,180 entries to the nine categories. “We were thrilled to see extraordinary global participation in this important event that helps raise awareness about what’s at stake if light pollution continues to increase through the art of photography,” she added.

The panel of judges include some of the most famous astrophotographers in the world including Babak Tafreshi, Miguel Claro and Jack Fusco.

Here are all nine winners in each category along with details of what you’re looking at:

‘Connecting to the Dark’ winner

“This was meticulously planned for the location, timing and positions of all elements,” said photographer Olivas about the incredible “Rock climbers under a rising blood moon” image (main image, above). “In order to get both the moon and subjects in focus using a telephoto lens, I focused on each separately and blended them together.”

The next total lunar eclipse—the last until 2025—occurs on November 7/8, 2022.

‘International Dark Sky Place’ winner

Nearly 200 protected lands and municipalities worldwide have been certified by IDA as an “International Dark Sky Place,” creating havens for astrophotographers. One of them is the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve in Texas where Stephen Hummel took this one-shot photo (above) of a bright meteor from the Perseid meteor shower just as a large sprite (an electrical breakdown in the upper atmosphere), occurred over a distant thunderstorm.

‘The Bright Side of Lighting’ winner

This single exposure (above) from Tibet, China shows a dimly-lit hotel beneath the Namcha Barwa peak that follows the IDA’s Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Light.

‘Creatures of the Night’ winner

This stacked image (above) from Xishuangbanna in southwest China’s Yunnan Province shows fireflies creating star-like scenery in the forest. Light pollution has adverse and deadly effects on wildlife, including amphibians, birds, insects and mammals.

‘Deep Sky’ winner

Shaun Robertston of Melbourne, Australia created this stunning image (above) of NGC 6188, an emission nebula commonly known as “The Dragons of Ara.” It’s 4,000 light years away near the edge of a large molecular cloud unseen at visible wavelengths in the southern constellation Ara, “the Altar.” It took Robertson 15 hours of exposures to create this finished image.

‘The Mobile Photographer’ winner

Remember Comet NEOWISE from 2020? It was snapped on a OPPO Find X2 Pro smartphone by Zhaoqi Li in Hebei, China (above).

‘Youth’ winner

Winner of the under 17 years old category was Jingyi Ma from China for this stacked image (above) taken in the desert of Kubuqi.

‘Utah Dark Skies’ winner

This beautiful blended image (above) taken by Marcin Zajac in Utah, U.S., which sponsors the “Capture the Dark” competition.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.