We are proud to launch ASTROLENS 1.0, the first-ever national-level astrophotography contest in Bangladesh. Organized by the National Outreach Coordinator, Bangladesh (NOC-BD) in collaboration with the Jamal Nazrul Islam Astronomy Club, JUST, this initiative aims to inspire students and enthusiasts to explore astronomical science through creativity.

See contest results: ASTROLENS 1.0 Winners Gallery

About the Competition:

ASTROLENS 1.0 is designed to be the premier platform for astronomy lovers across the country. With two inclusive categories, the contest will showcase the diverse talent of astrophotographers nationwide:

1. Professional Category – Deep Sky Objects such as Nebulae, Comets, Galaxies, etc. Planet and Moon photos are also under this category.
2. Amateur Category – Wide-angle photos of the night sky, such as the Milky Way, Nightscapes, etc.

Rewards:

• Total Prize money of BDT 8,500
• Official recognition and digital certificates

Event Timeline:

January 10 – Official Launch & Poster Release
January 12–25 – Submission Period
January 26–30 – Jury Evaluation
January 31 (Evening) – Winner Announcement & Online Dark Sky Awareness Session (via Google Meet/Zoom)

How to Participate:

1. Join the Astronomy School Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271555572031

2. Post your photo in the group using this format:
***Short description of the scene/object/phenomenon (max 100 words)
***Technical details: camera/smartphone model, settings, filters, processing, location, date, Bortle scale, etc.
***Use these hashtags in the caption: #astrolens1 #nocbd #jniac

3. Photos must be free of watermarks or logos

4. After approval of your post: Copy the post link
Fill out the Google Form with your post link and upload your photo.
Form Link: https://forms.gle/PfELRBHF8CShpzwWA

5. Submit the form to complete your entry
Your first photo is officially submitted!

Rules & Regulations:

1. Follow the same post format for each submission
2. Maximum 3 photos per participant in each category (submitted separately)
3. Use your real identification information in the Google Form; One person can not use multiple accounts for submission.
4. Copyright must be respected. Submitting others’ work or AI-generated images will result in disqualification

Terms and conditions:

1. The jury team may request originals for verification.
2. Winning photos will be displayed on the iau.nocbd.org website, accompanied by proper author credit.
3. The NOC-BD Office may use photographs for promotional (not commercial) purposes with proper credit.
4. The NOC-BD Office reserves the right to remove any submission violating the rules.
5. The NOC-BD Office reserves the right to amend rules or the event timeline if necessary.

Selection Process:

Primary Selection: Minimum 50 reactions, positive comments, and strong engagement on your post (bot activity strictly prohibited)

Final Decision: The ASTROLENS 1.0 Jury will evaluate shortlisted entries. Winners will be chosen based on expert analysis and judgment.

Stay Updated.
Follow our official page: https://www.facebook.com/bdastronomy
For queries, email: nocbd.team @gmail.com