Astronomy Magazines 2010 contest

Astronomy magazine has announced the start of their 2010 astroimaging contest.

If you believe you stand a chance and would like to try your hand at winning any of those prizes, have at it.

However, Please allow me to inform you of last years contest results and how the contest was organized and conducted. Take a look at the winners from last year, and then look at their images so that you are aware of what you will be up against.
I don't want to discourage anyone from entering their images in any contest, however, at the same time I don't want anyone to have any false hopes.
http://cs.astronomy.co​m/asycs/forums/t/40385​.aspx

You will be going up against people like Tony Hallas who is a professional photographer and previous photo contributor to astronomy magazine prior to the contest, who is now a columnist for the magazine.

I think the flack generated from last year's mess sunk in Tim as Tony is not entering this year. LOL! No offense if he reads this, but that is very good for the rest of us.

The rules this year:

I'm disappointed there's still no dedicated categories for DSLR & CCD or Pro & Novice though...

MyLookingGlassEye wrote in post #10637661
I'm disappointed there's still no dedicated categories for DSLR & CCD or Pro & Novice though...

The rules this year are the same as last years with the exception that last year they also included Rancho Hidalgo and Arizona Sky Village employees in the exclusion because the grand prize included a cash payout and trip to that location.

Even before they started last years contest people were suggesting and recommending dedicated categories, as well as judges from outside the staff of astronomy magazine. After the results and the stir of last years contest there was additional discussion on the conduct and judging of any future contests. Apparently none of the recommendations were even considered.

The fact that Tony will be disqualified from entering again this year because he won last years is no consolation. He is a professional photographer, and allowing professionals like him to submit any entries will make the competition impossible for many other amateur astrophotographers who would like a chance to win any of those prizes.