The 2021 CWAS AstroFest

"The David Malin Awards"
The Shortlisted Finalists


The Central West Astronomical Society is proud to announce that the following images are the shortlisted finalists in the 2021 CWAS "David Malin Awards". The winners will be announced, and presented with their awards, during a special online ceremony on Saturday, 24 July 2021. Details of the livestream will be posted soon.

This year's competition had seven categories:

  • Deep Sky
  • Wide-Field
  • Nightscapes
  • Solar System
  • Animated Sequences:
    • Scientific
    • Aesthetic
  • Junior (18 years old or younger)

This year, the photographs were judged by a panel of distinguished astrophotographers - Peter Ward, Phil Hart and Alex Cherney. The world-renowned astrophotographer, Dr David Malin, chose the overall winner from the panel's selection. The photographs were judged without any of the judges being aware of the identity of the photographers. The winners will be presented with the "David Malin Awards" during a special online ceremony which will be livestreamed on Saturday, 24 July 2021.

It was not just technical skill that was assessed. The prizes will go to pictures that are technically excellent and capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Celestron Australia is supporting the competition with website vouchers to the value of $10,000.

Mr Jeff Darmanin, a News Corp. Australia Picture Editor, has judged the "Photo Editor's Choice" awards and has given his pick from each category, plus an overall winner. These will be announced during the presentation ceremony.

Last year's associated exhibitions were a resounding success. The two parallel exhibitions were viewed by over 200,000 people Australia-wide.

This year's permanent exhibition will be on show at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory's Visitor's Centre from August 2021, for an entire year. A second touring exhibition, organised by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, will travel to selected venues country-wide, beginning with Sydney Observatory from 1 October 2021 (All dates are subject to COVID-19 restrictions).

To have received any one of these awards is a great honour. Congratulations!



The Shortlisted Finalists by Category

(in no particular order)

Click on the images to see the larger versions.


Solar System



© Paul Haese

© Stefan Buda
"Transits"
Paul Haese
"Rugged Moon"
Stefan Buda


© Niall MacNeill

© Andy Casely

© Andy Casely
"Mars - Olympus Mons Dominating"
Niall MacNeill
"A Rippling Outbreak on Jupiter"
Andy Casely
"Mars 2020: Perseverence"
Andy Casely


Nightscapes



© Alex van Harmelen

© Alex van Harmelen
"Lake Catani Moonrise"
Alex van Harmelen
"Stars over the Cathedral"
Alex van Harmelen


© Alex van Harmelen

© Ian Inverarity

© Jan Breckwoldt
"Pendergast Hut Display"
Alex van Harmelen
"Sheltering from the Starlight"
Ian Inverarity
"Startrails in the City"
Jan Breckwoldt


© Marley Butlern
"Between a Rock and Outer Space"
Marley Butler


Wide-Field



© Kelvin Hennessay

© Ian Inverarity
"Witches Head to Cone Nebula"
Kelvin Hennessy
"Rho Ophiuchi Rides Blue Horsehead"
Ian Inverarity


Deep Sky



© Rodney Watters

© Paul Montague
"Nebula in Corona Australis"
Rodney Watters
"The Trifid Nebula"
Paul Montague


© Paul Montague

© Niall MacNeill

© Marcus Davies
"Thor's Helmet"
Paul Montague
"NGC 1532 - Galaxy Distortion Action"
Niall MacNeill
"Bejeweled Oasis NGC 134"
Marcus Davies


Junior



© Zachery Thexeira
"Into Shadow: Faces of the Eclipse"
Zachery Thexeira


Animated Sequences

(videos not yet available)


© David Magro

© Mitch Payne
"Welcome Home"
David Magro
"Totality"
Mitch Payne


© Kelvin Hennessy
"Studies of Satellite Transits"
Kelvin Hennessy


Celestron Australia Prizes

Celestron Australia is the major sponsor of the 2021 CWAS "David Malin Awards" with website vouchers to the total value of $10,000. The "David Malin Awards" is known as the highest level astrophotography awards in Australia. Celestron Australia is very honoured and proud to partner with the 2021 CWAS "David Malin Awards". Astrophotography is regarded as the hardest genre of all photography. The dedication and level of professionalism that is shown by these astrophographers should be awarded and celebrated.




Congratulations to the finalists!


The announcement and presentation of the 2021 CWAS "David Malin Awards" will be livestreamed on Saturday, 24 July 2021, from 3:00 PM (AEST). The details of the livestream will be posted on our social media pages.

Come and share with us your enthusiasm for the grandeur and beauty of astronomy. Click here for more information on the 2021 CWAS AstroFest.


The 2021 CWAS "David Malin Awards" is proudly supported by Celestron Australia and


Comments and Enquiries: John Sarkissian OAM of the AstroFest Organising Committee