Competition Closing Date: 30th of September, 2024. Entries will be accepted till 11:59PM

1. Eligibility:

   • The competition is open to all New Zealand residents.
   • The entrant must have taken and owned the copyright of all images submitted. Entries from any previous New Zealand Astrophotography competition/s are ineligible.
   • There is no restriction on when the image was taken, except for the Dark Sky Reserve category.

2. Category Specific Rules:

   • Aurora Australis: Only images of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) are allowed.
   • Smartphone: Only images taken by a smartphone are eligible.
   • Nightscape/Artistic: Unnatural, digitally enhanced, and composite images are eligible. However, the judging panel may ask about your processing methods if your photo is shortlisted. Please provide details of digital enhancements and composites in the image description.
   • Dark Sky Reserve: Images for this category must be taken within the last 12 months of the competition’s closing date. Locations eligible for this category include:
     • Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
     • Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary
     • Stewart Island/Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary
     • Wai-iti, Nelson International Dark Sky Park
     • Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve
     • Images taken from any official or aspiring dark sky places listed on the Dark Sky Places NZ website are eligible for this category.

3. Submission Guidelines:

   • Each entrant is limited to a maximum of 3 images per category, with a total maximum of 18 images per entrant. For the Timelapse category, the limit is 3 time-lapse movies.
   • Entries must be submitted in high-resolution PNG, JPEG, or JPG format. Video submissions should be in MP4, AVI, or MPEG formats.
   • The entrant must fill out the online form and read the acknowledgment. Entries must be received before the closing date; no late entries will be accepted.

4. Image Authenticity and Processing:

   • By submitting images, you confirm that each image:
     • Was taken and processed by you.
     • Does not contain data not generated through photography.
     • Is your original work and does not infringe on any third-party rights.
   • Unnatural, digitally enhanced, and composite images are allowed but must be declared. Undeclared composites may be disqualified for dishonesty and misrepresentation.

5. Prohibited Content:

   • AI-generated images and ‘AI Art’ are not eligible. Images must consist of genuine astronomical data captured via observation using photographic equipment. The use of machine learning software for noise reduction and similar purposes is allowed but must be declared.
   • Winning images from other competitions are not allowed.

6. Publication and Copyright:

   • Copyright will remain with the entrant. Unless notified in writing, the Auckland Astronomical Society (AAS) reserves the right to use any images submitted in the competition for any AAS or RASNZ publications, websites, and/or exhibitions to promote astronomy in New Zealand in a non-commercial capacity.

7. Judging:

   • The competition will have a panel of judges, including Dylan O’Donnell and Judy Schmidt.
   • The judges may request high-resolution images and additional details if required.
   • The judges’ decisions will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.