PEOPLE AND SPACE

The Prison of Technology 

Rafael Schmall (Hungary)

Photo location: Kaposfő, Southern Transdanubia, Hungary, 26 December 2019 Equipment: Sky-Watcher Quattro 200/800 astrograph telescope (modified) at f/4, Sky-Watcher EQ6-Pro Go-To mount, Canon EOS 6D, ISO 1600, 5 x 150-second exposures Judge’s verdict: “Sometimes beauty reveals an unattractive truth. This picture is as aesthetically pleasing as it is shocking. How far must [satellite constellations] go before we realise how we are altering our precious connection with our night sky?”

– Melanie Vandenbrouck

the illuminated water’s edge. I liked the way the landscape was dwarfed by the dominant aurora and yet the forms and colours of the composition echoed above with below. This was definitely one of my favourite images in this year’s competition.” – Susan Derges