Sky-Watcher 2025 – Astro Photographer of the Year (Nightscapes)
Full reference table for the Sky-Watcher 2025 nightscape category used in the Nightmap insights page. The table is compiled from publicly available information on the competition website. Find the official winners gallery and entry information on the Sky-Watcher Australia Astrophotographer of the Year page .
| Rank | Photographer | Image Title | Camera | Lens | Sky FL | Foreground FL | Sky Exposure Details | Foreground Exposure Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | Tom Rae | Dragons Tear | Nikon Z6a + Nikon Z7 | Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 (sky) + Sigma 28mm f/1.4 (foreground) | 14 | 28 | 20×30s, f/2.5, ISO 3200 | 26 images, 20s–1 min, f/5.6–2.8, ISO 800–3200 | Silver nightscape; multi‑camera and multi‑lens composite with separate sky and foreground exposures |
| Silver | Tom Rae | Celestial Realm | Fujifilm X‑T30 | Viltrox 27mm f/1.4 (sky) + Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4 (foreground) | 27 | 23 | 60s, f/1.4, ISO 800 | 60s, f/2.0, ISO 800 | Silver nightscape; uses two lenses for sky and ground with identical exposure times. |
| Bronze | Tom Rae | Wanderer | Nikon Z6a | Sigma 40mm f/1.4 Art | 40 | 40 | 2 panels ×16 frames, f/1.8, ISO 1600; plus 5×Hα exposures at f/1.6, ISO 6400, 60s | 30s, f/8, ISO 400 | Bronze; same 40 mm lens; multi‑panel tracked sky and static foreground; also includes Hα layer. |
| Bronze | Tom Rae | The Ridge | Nikon Z6a (sky) + Nikon Z7 (foreground) | Sigma 40mm f/1.4 (sky) + Nikkor 24–70mm f/4 (foreground) | 40 | 24 | 49×30s, f/1.8, ISO 1600 | 13×20s, f/5.6, ISO 125 | Bronze; multi‑camera composite; sky shot at 40mm and foreground at 24mm; stitched panorama. |