From Digital Camera World · · 1m
AstroPrize 2026: New Zealand Night Image Wins
Evan McKay's radiant green airglow photo wins AstroPrize 2026.
In brief
Evan McKay's radiant green airglow photo wins AstroPrize 2026. Evan McKay's New Zealand night image with radiant green airglow wins AstroPrize Photographer of the Year 2026. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
Evan McKay's Night Shoot
Evan McKay arrived at Mautohe Cathedral Cove in New Zealand at sunrise, stunned by the light beauty.
“i knew the moon would be rising early in the night, leaving no time to photograph the scene under true starlight.”
Unexpected Airglow
Unanticipated solar activity created a radiant green airglow that tied the scene together with the rising moon.
“the beautiful, radiant green airglow was an unexpected paid actor in the scene.”
AstroPrize Win
McKay won AstroPrize Photographer of the Year 2026 for his exceptional detail and atmospheric depth.
“the judges praised mckay's image for its exceptional detail and depth, along with its strong sense of atmosphere and place.”
Prize Money
McKay received 3,000 (approximately £2,200/AU4,200) in prize money for his win.
“mckay took home 3,000 (approximately £2,200/AU4,200) in winnings.”
Other Winners
Marzena Rogozińska won Deep Space, Jason Perry won Aurora, and Alpha Zhang won Remote Imaging.
“marzena rogozińska won the deep space category for her shot of intricate streams of interstellar dust within the chameleon dark clouds of the constellation chamaeleon.”
Aurora Winner
Jason Perry captured the Aurora Borealis dancing above Norway's Lofoten Islands with vibrant green light.
“the aurora borealis dances above the mountains of å in norway's lofoten islands, its vibrant green light reflected across the calm waters below.”
Remote Imaging Winner
Alpha Zhang won Remote Imaging for Galileo's Finger, a cosmic dust cloud in the constellation Lacerta.
“galileo's finger through a faint h alpha veil a near-threshold h alpha veil rather than a bright red sea: dust sets the direction, ha builds the depth, and distant galaxies still thread through the field.”
The essence
Evan McKay's New Zealand night image with radiant green airglow wins AstroPrize Photographer of the Year 2026.
