1ST PLACE
Millions of Miles Apart, Cosetta Lewis
“Dragon Ridge, Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS, and the Milky Way aligned to paint Deming’s dark skies with magic—a once-in-a-lifetime show. Each night while the comet graced the heavens, I chased the stars from a new horizon, composing fresh perspectives beneath the vast silence. This image became one of my favorites—a moment of stillness, just breathing in the quiet brilliance of the universe.” —Cosetta Lewis
2ND PLACE
Astro Eruption, Aaron Lewis
“I captured this image of the aurora at Valles Caldera National Preserve last year following a strong solar flare event. To me, the aurora above the caldera is reminiscent of a volcanic eruption.”—Aaron Lewis
3RD PLACE
Twisted, David Turning
“This image was taken near Abiquiú. I found this twisted tree, and it lined up nicely with the Milky Way. Getting the image proved to be a little trickier, since the tree is growing right on the edge of a cliff where there is minimal room for a tripod, camera, and myself.”—David Turning
HONORABLE MENTION
Bedtime Stories, Grayson Kemp
“The photograph is about that continuity—stories carved in stone and stories written in the sky, meeting in the same quiet winter darkness.”—Grayson Kemp
HONORABLE MENTION
Lady Aurora’s Liturgy, Lauren Baca
“Lady Aurora—rare pilgrim of the far north—graced the desert’s worn altar. For a few breathless moments, the remnants of Taiban remembered how to worship. I stood inside a holiness I could feel watching the earth rediscover its voice.” —Lauren Baca