Highlights

Four thousand people attended Astrofest on Saturday, 28 November, making it a massive success!

It was a sensational day, loaded with activities and information. Astronomy WA would like to thank everyone who came and would also like to say a big thank you to all the organisers and supporters.

Browse through some photos taken at the 2009 Astrofest, courtesy of John Goldsmith and Megan Argo. You may even spot yourself!

Astrophotography Competition Winners

Astrofest organisers and Astronomy WA would like to thank all who entered the Astrophotography Competition. We have the winners below and if you would like to browse all the entries please visit the Astrophotography Competition Gallery.

Prizes

• The top 10 entries were printed, mounted and displayed at Astrofest. Each of the top 10 are given this print.
• The top 10 entrants were awarded with a certificate recognising their great work and their contribution to Astrofest 2009.
• The top 3 entries received certificates indicating a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the competition.
• The top 5 entrants received an International Year of Astronomy 2009 1oz Silver Proof Coin created by Perth Mint and valued at $89.50 each.

Winners

* First Place: BRENDAN MITCHELL *

Title: Orion’s Great Nebula
Using: 2 x 10min, 10 x 2min, 1min, 30sec, 15sec. No reduction images.
Stacked in DSS. Processed in PS CS3 using methods from Ken
Crawford.

Second Place: ROGER GROOM

Third Place: TREVOR WARNER

Title: Eta Carinae Nebula
Using: Canon 350d modified Baader 2” Skyglow filter

Top 5 Placing: DAVE AHN

Title: Rosette Nebula
Using: Skywatcher 200 mm reflector, EQ6 mount and Canon 350D DSLR

Top 5 Placing: MEGAN ARGO

Title: Storytelling around the campfire, Boolardy Station
Using: Fuji FinePix S1000fd camera, 8 second exposure at F=4, minor contrast adjustment

Top 10 Placing: MEGAN ARGO

Title: Moon over Perth
Using: Fuji FinePix S1000fd camera, 1 second exposure at F=3.1, no processing

Top 10 Placing: ROGER GROOM

Title: Comet McNaught over the City of Perth
Using: Three exposures combined. Alteration of levels, curves and sharpening, noise
reduction and cropping performed.

Top 10 Placing: RICHARD KREIDER

Title: People gather at Northside Drive, Hillary's Boat Harbour to view Comet
McNaught
Using: Two images have been merged, both taken by Richard Kreider, using a Nikon
D200 camera.

Top 10 Placing: RAY PALMER

Top 10 Placing: JIM HYNDMAN

Title: Horesehead and Flame Nebulae
Using: Orion EON120 and Sky Watcher 4 inch mak piggybacked on a G11 mount. Modified Canon 350d through the EON

Art and Model Competition Winners

A big thank you to every single participant in the Art and Model Competition! All the entries were incredible and judging was difficult as we had so many fantastic pieces. To browse the entries please visit the Art and Model Competition Gallery.

To see all the place winners,  please view the complete list here .

Well done to 1st Place Winners Harry Brayford and Cameron Cope from Curtin Primary School