'Exposure'

The 'A' List Astrophotography Competition

ArtdeCiel.com is to be one of the sponsors of the ‘A’ List Challenge – the Ultimate Astrophotography Competition.

The idea is that in order to win an astrophotographer has to image not one object but 109.

Yes you did read it correctly - 109!

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that he or she has a whole year to do it!

Do you like travel? In order to win the competition a certain amount of travelling will be required. How much travelling, that will depend upon the skill and ingenuity of the entrant?

As you know bad news can be followed by more bad news.

In this case not all the objects are either easy or visible from your observing location. Yes, we have included some tricky targets – how about the ‘Green’ Flash’ or a ‘Total Solar Eclipse’?

If you live in the north – do you fancy imaging the Large Magellanic Cloud or the Eta Carina Nebula? Don’t laugh too soon if you live in Australia or South Africa – you have to image ‘Andromeda Spiral’ and the ‘North American Nebula’!

Not too bad you’re thinking, well there is always more bad news.

You have also got to find a famous astrophotography camera, a famous telescope and a famous observatory – and photograph them! Don’t forget they have to be famous, otherwise your entry will be rejected; so think of reasons why they are famous.

If you just plan to use your faithful SBIG, FLI or Starlight camera forget it! – It will be a bit difficult to capture a meteorite crater or a tornado with it! You will have get out a DSLR or a even your old film camera!

If you are not keen on solar, lunar and planetary objects – shame! We have also included one or two like a solar prominence, the odd crater and the demoted planet Pluto.

So if you fancy earning the title of ‘World’s Greatest Astrophotographer’ then register for this Ultimate of Astrophotography Competition.

The planned start date is 1st April 2010 and the closing date is 31st March 2011.

The prizes, rules, categories and judges will be announced in early 2010.

Closing Date for Entries is 1st March 2010.

Please Note: The Competition will only take place if more than 100 individuals or teams Register.

For further details, please follow the link:

www.artdeciel.com/challenge.aspx

Here are a few of the 109 objects you have to capture: