Imaging Contest Rules

New for 2026:

  1. Assisted Imaging Category (see below)
  2. Expanded collaboration rules (see below)
  3. Max submissions = 4 images + 1 time lapse + 1 collaboration image per team. You can have multiple Collab images if you sit on multiple teams.

Preamble

The Starfest astrophotography imaging contest is for all levels of astrophotographers.  It is open to anyone attending Starfest except current judges.  In recent years sponsors have donated generous prizes to the winners.  Photos are entered by division (see below) and will be scored by a panel of judges.

Photos can be taken from any location but must be captured since the last Starfest.  Projects where data has been accumulated over the years are acceptable as long as a good portion of the data was added since the last Starfest.  Winners will be announced during a stage presentation on Saturday night at Starfest.

Divisions:

  • Time Lapse video.  1 award will be given.  Maximum duration per video = 30 seconds.  One Time Lapse per entrant.  You can add music or have no sound.  It will be shown as submitted.  Please recall that a Time Lapse is intended to show motion as in a video (for example, 20-25 FPS).  A Time lapse is not a series of a few still shots stitched together as a slide show.  Also, a Time Lapse is not a still photo with special effects (zoom motion).  Contact the Director via to make file sharing arrangements.
  • Astro Star Trails and Landscape (ASL).  1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners will be selected.
  • Solar System (SS).  1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners will be selected.
  • Collaborations (C).  A team can have up to 6 members.  You can join multiple teams, there is no limit.  Please create team names for easy identification.  The team can share data they shot going back many years; there is no expiry date for data.  All data must be taken by members on the team using their own equipment.  Rented equipment and Smart Scopes cannot be used.  Any Astro target will qualify (DSO, SS, ASL) but the point of this category is long integrations therefore DSOs are most likely to benefit from collabs.  One winning team will be selected.  Prizes and trophies may be limited to one for the team.  All team members must register for Starfest and attend.
  • Deep Sky Objects (DSO).  1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners will be selected.
  • Assisted Imaging Category (AI).  1 award will be given.  Images may be taken by Smart platforms (SeeStar, Vaonis, Dwarf Labs, Unistellar etc..) and rented telescopes (local or international).  If using a rented telescope, the data must be yours (i.e you purchased it) so that we do not infringe copyrights when showing your results.
  • In the event that there are not enough entries for the year, divisions may be combined.

Calculated Awards

You do not “enter” these categories.  They are calculated automatically based on scores.

  • Imager Of The Year (IOTY)
  • Automatically calculated and given to the imager who scores highest for quality, quantity and diversity of images.  We use this equation : Average image score (out of 100) + 2 points for each entry + 3 points for each category.  The highest score is the IOTY
  • Most Improved
  • The winner is the imager with the greatest difference between this year's and last year's score.  We normalize the scores each year to make the numbers translatable across judges and years.

Remember:

  • The Director reserves the right to disqualify any photo or video that doesn’t meet the contest rules.
  • The identity of the judges will be revealed well before Starfest.  Judges are typically highly accomplished imagers.  Most have won 1st place at Starfest at least once.  If you have a strong portfolio and want to be a judge, contact the Director.
  • The NYAA assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright and is not responsible for any loss of or damage to any images submitted.
  • Although extremely unlikely, it is possible that the lowest scoring entries may not be shown at Starfest due to time constraints.  This decision will be made a few weeks before Starfest.

Contest Rules

  1. Entrants must be registered for Starfest prior to sending images.
  2. Winners must pick up their prizes and trophies at the showing on Saturday night.   Items will not be mailed out.  If you do not show up during the awards your prize will be donated as a door prize.
  3. The competition is open to all Starfest attendees with the exception of current judges.
  4. All entries must contain an Astronomical theme
  5. All elements of image capture must be accomplished by the entrant, including equipment setup, control, alignment, and target acquisition.   All work in creating an image that involves the application of more than nominal skill must be done by the entrant.   Images acquired remotely using rented equipment or Smart Telescopes are only permitted in the AI category.
  6. Maximum number of submissions = 4 images + 1 Time-Lapse + 1 Collaboration image per team.  You can enter as many Collab images as the number of teams you sit on.
  7. By virtue of submitting an entry, the entrant certifies the work as not infringing on anyone else’s copyright and permits the NYAA to reproduce, in printed or electronic form, all or part of the entered material free of charge for publication and/or display in media related to the promotion of Starfest and to effectively operate and promote the competition.
  8. Images should have been acquired between summer 2025 --> summer 2026, with the exception of Collaborations which can traverse back without limits.  You can enter projects that have been accumulating data over the years as long a reasonable portion of the data was captured since the last Starfest.
  9. No identifying information (e.g. title, photographer) should be pasted on the image itself.
  10. Images must be submitted as JPEGs.  Timelapses are typically mp4.
  11. Images will be shown using a high definition projector, therefore submissions should be in the ballpark of 1920 x 1080 pixels, Landscape mode, for best viewing at the show.  Having said this, any aspect ratio will be accepted.  Some sensors are intentionally square (solar, planetary, IMX 533 etc…) and you are welcome to send the images as they are.
  12. When naming your images, include only the Division and target name (eg – “DSO-M52”).  Do not enter more info in the file name.
  13. Please include technical details of the image(s) in your email (location, Bortle rating, dates, target, camera, mount, scope, total integration.).  Don’t send numbers of subs per filter.  That info is not needed.
  14. The prizes (if any) are limited to one award per person.
  15. Images from Smart Platforms (SeeStar, Unisteller, Vaonis, Dwarf Labs, Celestron Origin etc ..) and rented telescopes (anywhere in the world) are now accepted under the AI Category.

Submitting Your Images:

  • DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING IMAGES IS: 11:59pm EDT Saturday July 11th 2026
  • The entrant is responsible for ensuring his/her entries are delivered to the Director by .