An "incredible" photograph capturing the Milky Way above the South Downs has been crowned the winner of the national park’s annual astro-photography competition. The contest, which drew more than 130 entrants, was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
The top prize was awarded to Michael Harris for his striking image, "Ancient Light," which beautifully frames the Milky Way over an abandoned barn in Balsdean Valley, near Brighton, East Sussex. Dan Oakley, a dark skies expert and astro-photographer who served as a judge, praised the shot, stating: "I think this is an incredible and realistic photo of what the South Downs Dark Skies experience is. It’s beautifully framed."
