VIII Science and Art Contest accepts entries in the Astrophotography category
The contest is organized by the Science Center and Planetarium of Pará with the aim of promoting and disseminating interest in Astronomy and related sciences
Entries are open for the VIII Science and Art Contest, in the Astrophotography category, with the theme "Science and Art under the same sky: astrophotography revealing the universe.” The contest is an initiative of the Science Center and Planetarium of Pará (CCPPA) - Sebastião Sodré da Gama, through the State University of Pará (Uepa), aimed at promoting and disseminating interest in Astronomy and related sciences. Interested parties can register for free until August 4, via online form. All information can be found in the Notice No. 55/2025.
It is possible to participate in the following categories: children (6 to 12 years), youth (13 to 17 years), adult (18 to 59 years), and senior (60 years and older). The photographs submitted to the contest must be attached to the registration form in one of the following formats: JPEG, PDF, or RAW. For JPEG files, it is recommended to use maximum quality when saving the image, which must be attached to the form with a size of at least 5 MB.
Each competitor may participate with only one photograph. The use of image editing programs should occur only for adjustments of basic parameters, such as color, contrast, sharpness, saturation, and cropping. Alterations to the photographic image, such as adding, removing, inserting elements, or using special effects, will not be allowed. The photographic technique is free, as long as the veracity of the record is respected, and it can be produced with any type of equipment and complementary resources such as lenses and filters, in horizontal or vertical formats, in both black and white and color.
The judging committee will select the three best photographs, in order of classification (1st, 2nd, and 3rd places), by category: children, youth, adult, and senior, according to the following evaluation criteria: adherence to the rules in the regulation; relevance and appropriateness to the proposed theme; conceptual originality; technical quality; and composition and aesthetics.
The director of CCPPA, Professor José Roberto Silva, states that the theme of the VIII Science and Art Contest invites participants to explore the sky: “The aim of the theme is to provide contemplation of celestial objects and, playfully, transform it into a visual and artistic narrative, creating a universal connection, reminding us that we all share the same celestial dome.”
According to the pedagogue of CCPPA, Alice Sousa, the contest has been held since 2020 and has featured various themes, such as photography, drawing, poetry, music, cartoons, and comic strips. “Science and Art was designed to bring the external community closer to the institution during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a way to maintain an action that could reach people's homes. Since the first edition, it has attracted a large audience. Today, we have a total of 567 participants in all editions of the contest, which has maintained public interest in participation. Furthermore, the contest not only encompasses the audience from Pará but from all over Brazil,” she details.
Award - The first place in the contest will receive a trophy and medal; and the second and third places will receive a medal. In addition, the top three places will obtain certification from the Pro-Rectorate of Extension (Proex) of Uepa, and the awarded photographs will be part of an exhibition in the temporary exhibition room of the Science Center and Planetarium of Pará, as well as being published on the Instagram profile of CCPPA (@planetariodopara). The award ceremony will take place in the hall of the Science Center and Planetarium of Pará, scheduled for September 30, 2025.
