This majestic Milky Way photograph “celebrates the remarkable clarity of Australia’s dark skies, where multiple celestial phenomena can be experienced together above an iconic outback landscape”
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Credit: Paul Wilson (courtesy of DarkSky International)
Every year, DarkSky International – a global nonprofit advocating for reduced light pollution and protecting the nighttime environment – runs a photography competition.
From incredible astrophotography to artificially-lit cityscapes, the event highlights truly spectacular scenes (many of which our eyes would never perceive without a camera to reveal) along with the growing threat to our night sky.
The 2026 edition of the competition has now wrapped up and, from the 9 category winners, there were 3 images in particular that stood out to me.
"The Chasm"
The Chasm – 1st place, Creatures of the Night category | Credit: Tom Rae (courtesy of DarkSky International)
It might take a second for your mind to figure out what's going on in this image. The luminous green lights are glow worms lining the walls of a deep natural cavern, while the Milky Way shimmers overhead.
But even more fascinating than the image is the story behind it. Astrophotographer and guide Tom Rae rappelled more than 330ft / 100m into a vast cave system on New Zealand's North Island at night.
He told the competition organizers how the "extreme humidity, subtle light from the glow worms and long exposures" pushed his skills to the limit.
Technical details:Tracked panorama | Nikon Z8 + Z7II | Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 + Sigma 40mm f/1.4 | 180 sec / 30 sec • f/1.8 • ISO6,400 / 1,600
"Razorback"
Razorback – 1st place, Nightscapes category | Credit: Paul Wilson (courtesy of DarkSky International)
Another New Zealand-based astrophotographer, Paul Wilson , created this image from Razorback Lookout in South Australia's Flinders Ranges. I love how the majestic Milky Way arches over the distant mountains, while the winding dirt road in the midground almost mirrors it.
According to Wilson, a pair of irregular dwarf galaxies – the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, located roughly 163,000 and 200,000 light-years away from Earth, respectively – are also visible.
Speaking to DarkSky International, Wilson said: "It celebrates the remarkable clarity of Australia's dark skies, where multiple celestial phenomena can be experienced together above an iconic outback landscape."
Technical details:Tracked panorama | Canon EOS R5 | Sigma 28mm Art | 30 secs • f/2.5 • ISO3200
"Aurora over the Prince Christian Sound"
Aurora over the Prince Christian Sound – 1st place, Nighttime Adventures category | Credit: Dennis Lehtonen (courtesy of DarkSky International)
What jumps out to me with this image, captured by Finnish astrophotographer Dennis Lehtonen , is the way the aurora bends through the sky, almost as if painted with a brush.
Lehtonen – who spends his time roaming remote Arctic communities in search of the best Aurora sightings – took the photo near Aappilattoq (also called Rødfjord), a village in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland.
He told the competition organizers he spent hours "jumping from one ice-covered rock to another" searching for a photo location, following a promising aurora forecast. The astrophotographer believes luck was on his side, as the lack of wind allowed for reflections in the water.
Technical details:Single exposure | Sony A7 IV | Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM | 2.5 secs • f/1.8 • ISO2000
These three brilliant images not only encapsulate awe-inspiring scenes, but also highlight the importance of why DarkSky International fights for reduced light pollution. Fantastic work from all three photographers!
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