Exhibition Preview: Images of Starlight

Belfast's Linen Hall Library is shooting for the stars with the launch of a new exhibition of astronomical photographs taken in Northern Ireland.

Opening on Tuesday, August 2, Images of Starlight features 81 large scale photos, including some never-before-seen, which dramatically capture the mystery, infinity and beauty of the universe.

From the sparkling curtain of the Milky Way to romantic moonscapes to the electric colour undulations in the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), the collection includes 24 images by Northern Ireland astrophotographers.

It also demonstrates how the rapid advance of technology allows today’s astronomers to take photos of better quality than those taken by the biggest and most advanced professional telescopes before the digital era.

Produced by the Irish Astronomical Association in conjunction with the Irish Astronomical Society and the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies, the exhibition was launched to acclaim in Dublin earlier this year.

It includes the Irish winners of the International Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London.

It also features what's believed to be the largest and most detailed image of a constellation ever taken by an astrophotographer.

The launch day featured a series of talks by three of the astronomers involved as well as guidance and advice on imaging the night sky with standard DSLR cameras.

There was also a display of equipment used for viewing and imaging the night sky, including binoculars, telescopes and cameras.

Images of Starlight is free to attend and runs until Friday, September 30.

For more information and events at the Linen Hall Library visit www.linenhall.com.