Astronomers have identified a possible new dwarf planet beyond Pluto using observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, revealing one of the largest objects in the distant outer solar system. The object, provisionally designated 2026 ED138, was announced by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center on 27 October. Researchers estimate its diameter at between 600 and 1,500 kilometres, although its precise size and classification […]
UAE stargazers are preparing for one of the year’s strongest meteor displays as the Perseid shower peaks overnight on August 12 and 13, with moonless skies expected to improve visibility across desert and mountain locations. The annual shower could produce dozens of visible meteors an hour under clear, dark conditions. Observers are likely to get the best views after midnight and before dawn on August 13, when […]
Astronomers have detected a four-carbon sugar in a cloud near the centre of the Milky Way, establishing that biologically useful carbohydrates can form in space before stars and planets emerge. The molecule, erythrulose, was identified within G+0.693−0.027, a vast cloud of gas and dust in the Sagittarius B2 region, about 26,000 light-years from Earth. The finding is the first confirmed detection of a true sugar in the […]
Musician and retro-technology enthusiast Chris Graue has released free 3D-printable files that allow a modified Game Boy Camera to connect to a standard telescope, opening his Jupiter photography experiment to hobbyists and hardware tinkerers. The design became public after Graue used Nintendo’s low-resolution camera accessory with Mount Wilson Observatory’s historic 60-inch telescope in California. The unconventional arrangement produced a pixelated image of Jupiter, including part of the […]
Scientists have found radioactive iron from exploded stars locked inside Antarctic ice, offering fresh evidence that Earth is moving through a cloud of ancient supernova debris while the material continues to fall on the planet today. The findings, published on May 13 in Physical Review Letters, centre on traces of iron-60, a rare isotope produced inside massive stars and scattered across space when they die in supernova […]
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2026 – OPPO officially announced the launch of the OPPO Photography Awards 2026 today, marking the return of the annual competition that provides a global stage for mobile photographers to showcase diverse perspectives through visual storytelling.
OPPO Photography Awards 2026 Key Visual, featuring original photography by Hasselblad Master Tina Signesdottir Hult, shot on OPPO Find X9 Ultra.
Building on last year’s theme “Super Every Moment”, this year’s edition introduces a brand-new Super Video category alongside expanded support programs offering creators more visibility and professional support. This year’s competition also includes a total prize pool of $76,500 distributed across the various prize categories.
“Over the past four years, the OPPO Photography Awards has evolved into a truly global platform that empowers mobile creators everywhere to express their inspiration effortlessly through OPPO’s powerful imaging capabilities,” said Ling Liu, Overseas CMO at OPPO. “Championing young creators has always been central to the Awards, and this year, we are taking this further by creating more opportunities for the next generation to be seen, supported, and recognized. Smartphone users have always embraced video as a powerful tool for mobile storytelling, and through our advanced imaging technologies and long-term partnership with Hasselblad, we hope to empower more creators worldwide to tell rich and authentic stories with their mobile devices.”
New Categories Celebrate New Possibilities in Mobile Imaging
The OPPO Photography Awards 2026 introduces two new categories—Super Video and Super Zoom—as part of an updated six-category lineup that also includes Journey, Me, Live, and Snap.
Six categories, including the new Super Video and Super Zoom.
Marking the first dedicated video category in OPPO Photography Awards history, the Super Video category aims to highlight the growing influence of video alongside photography as a distinct medium for mobile storytelling. With life’s meaningful moments taking place not only in static frames but the dynamic motion and emotions that unfold between them, OPPO is empowering storytellers from all walks of life to capture this motion through the latest innovations in mobile videography. Building on its longstanding focus on video, OPPO continues to deliver industry-leading capabilities across its product portfolio, enabling both enthusiasts and professionals to fully embrace the fun of creation.
Beyond offering cutting-edge technology, OPPO is equally committed to enhancing how these creations are shared. OPPO and Meta are closely collaborating to optimize the video-sharing experience on Instagram. OPPO Find X9 Ultra users can now achieve near-lossless video quality from capture to share. Videos shared on Instagram will retain quality virtually indistinguishable from the original footage, achieving the industry’s highest standards and ensuring that every shared moment remains true to the original creation. This reflects OPPO’s continued focus on optimizing the entire creative lifecycle for a truly seamless user experience.
This year’s other new category, Super Zoom, seeks to explore the creative potential made possible through OPPO’s long-term investment in advanced telescope zoom technology. By pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging, OPPO has brought smartphone zoom capabilities closer than ever to those of traditional standalone cameras, allowing users to capture unseen details with precision and explore life’s hidden beauty from completely new perspectives.
Committed to Supporting Young Creators
OPPO is committed to supporting young creative talents and amplifying their voices globally. Through the 2026 Awards, this commitment is taken even further with several new programs designed to empower creators’ long-term growth through professional guidance and coaching.
In partnership with Discovery Channel, OPPO has launched the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, offering young creators exclusive mentorship from industry professionals. Creators who submit videos to the Super Video category will have the chance to be invited to produce a short film with end-to-end creative support and potential broadcast opportunities, alongside a grant provided by OPPO.
OPPO and Discovery Channel launch the Filmmaker Accelerator Program.
OPPO is also extending support to the wider creator community through a range of accessible learning resources. Among them, the new OPPO Imaging Academy features a series of tutorial videos designed to help users tap into the full power of OPPO’s cutting-edge technology to transform creative inspiration into artistry.
In addition to these initiatives, the OPPO Creators program further expands visibility and creates more professional development opportunities for young creators. Through the program, outstanding works will be showcased across various OPPO platforms, and creators will also gain priority invitations to flagship launches and collaboration opportunities, along with complimentary professional equipment to support their ongoing development.
Opening Diverse Pathways for Creators Worldwide
As part of efforts to recognize a wider range of creators and expand participation in the Awards, the OPPO Photography Awards 2026 introduces a diverse awards program that gives creators more opportunities to gain global exposure and showcase their work on a bigger stage.
In addition to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards up for grabs in the main competition, participants can also earn recognition and generous incentives through Honorable Mentions, Regional Awards, and the Audience Choice Awards. A total of 38 different awards or acknowledgements are on offer recognizing outstanding creators across all categories, with a total prize pool of $76,500.
Total prizes of $76,500 across 38 award categories.
The year’s judging panel also brings together renowned industry professionals in both photography and cinematography, including Tina Signesdottir Hult and Wang Jianjun, Hasselblad Masters; Vikram Channa, Vice President, Co-Lead, and Editorial Chief at Warner Bros. Discovery; Zhu Jiong, Professor at the School of Visual Media and Communication, Beijing Film Academy; Pete Lau, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at OPPO; and Joy Cheng, Director of Imaging Cognition at OPPO.
Members of the awards’ judging panel.
To further encourage participation, the 2026 Awards also introduces a new monthly contest format. Through the new format, young creators can receive feedback and more visibility on an ongoing basis, while also having the opportunity to progress into the main competition.
Global Competition Submissions Open Until December 31
Submissions for the OPPO Photography Awards 2026 and the first round of monthly contests are now open. Creators worldwide are invited to submit their entries and showcase their creativity and storytelling visions captured on OPPO, OnePlus or realme devices.
Entries for the global competition will remain open until 24:00 (UTC+8), December 31, 2026. Submissions for all categories can be made via the official OPPO Photography Awards website. Submissions for the Super Video category can also be made through Instagram and TikTok using the hashtags #SuperVideo and #ShotOnOPPO.
Entries for the first global monthly contest can be submitted via the official website or on Instagram with the hashtags #SuperEveryMoment and #ShotOnOPPO. Upcoming monthly contests will feature different themes, with future submissions accepted through both social platforms and the official website.
For more information on the OPPO Photography Awards 2026 and the monthly contests, please visit the official website at https://lumo.oppo.com/en/. Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Scientists are advancing a new way to search for life beyond Earth by looking not for a single decisive signal on one planet, but for recurring patterns across many worlds. The idea, set out in a study published in The Astrophysical Journal, argues that life may reveal itself statistically if it spreads between planets or reshapes planetary environments in ways that leave linked traces across a wider […]
Earth is becoming brighter after dark overall, but the shift is proving far less uniform than older global averages suggested, with fast-growing parts of Asia and Africa lighting up while sections of Europe and some older urban zones are dimming through efficiency drives, new lamp technologies and policies aimed at cutting waste and light pollution. The clearest picture yet, drawn from daily satellite observations between 2014 and […]
Artificial intelligence has moved to the centre of global efforts to prevent satellite collisions and the cascading debris scenario known as Kessler syndrome, as space agencies and commercial operators face an increasingly crowded orbital environment. With more than 10,000 active satellites and tens of thousands of trackable debris fragments circling Earth, automated, data-driven tracking systems are becoming essential to keep spacecraft safe and critical services running. Advanced […]
Jupiter’s vast, banded clouds have long obscured the true nature of the giant planet beneath, but a new atmospheric model is changing that picture by pointing to a deep chemical imbalance that carries implications for how the solar system formed. The work indicates that Jupiter likely contains far more oxygen than the Sun, challenging earlier assumptions drawn from limited measurements and offering a clearer view of the […]
Astronomers have identified an unusual cosmic object that appears to be a galaxy in name only, composed almost entirely of dark matter and lacking the stars that typically define such systems. Nicknamed Cloud-9, the structure was detected through observations by the Hubble Space Telescope and is being described by researchers as a “failed galaxy” that never ignited stellar formation. Cloud-9 stands out because it contains a substantial […]
A compact, gaming-themed building set priced at $20 has become the latest expression of Lego’s strategy to blend nostalgia with accessibility, as the company rolls out a new Creator 3-in-1 Retro Gaming Console aimed at younger builders and adult collectors alike. The 268-piece kit, released at the start of January, reflects Lego’s effort to tap into enduring affection for early video-game hardware while keeping the price point […]
A striking nebula shaped like a cosmic hand has emerged even more mysterious in a newly released composite view that blends X‑ray and radio data. At its centre lies the pulsar B1509‑58—an intensely rotating neutron star barely 12 miles across—which drives a vast nebula, MSH 15‑52, extending some 150 light‑years. Astronomers, led by Shumeng Zhang of the University of Hong Kong, have juxtaposed imagery from NASA’s Chandra X‑ray […]
A newly discovered gas and dust bubble surrounding the red supergiant star DFK 52 has left astronomers perplexed. The massive structure, spanning a size greater than our entire Solar System, likely resulted from a violent outburst approximately 4,000 years ago. However, the star’s continued existence without undergoing a supernova explosion has raised more questions than answers, prompting experts to consider the possibility of a hidden companion star […]
A cluster of asteroids co-orbiting with Venus has captured the attention of astronomers due to their unpredictable trajectories, which could potentially intersect with Earth’s orbit over extended timescales. These celestial bodies, known as Venus co-orbital asteroids, are challenging to detect from Earth because of their proximity to the Sun, raising concerns about the adequacy of current asteroid monitoring systems. Recent simulations indicate that some of these asteroids […]
The European Space Agency’s Euclid mission has released its inaugural dataset, capturing images of 26 million galaxies and providing an unprecedented glimpse into the cosmos. This monumental achievement marks a significant step toward understanding the enigmatic components of the universe: dark matter and dark energy. Launched in July 2023, Euclid embarked on its mission to map the large-scale structure of the universe. Positioned at the Sun-Earth second […]
MILAN, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2024 – The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season is in full swing, with every team fiercely competing for a high ranking in the League phase. As the action heats up, fans worldwide are once again treated to mesmerizing moments on the pitch. Extending its partnership with the UEFA Champions League for another three seasons, OPPO is delivering unprecedented […]
OPPO Find X8 and Find X8 Pro launched in global markets Find X8 Series delivers ultra-grade cameras, performance and battery life ColorOS 15 debuts on Find X8 Series with cutting-edge OPPO AI JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 – OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, today announced the global availability of its Find X8 and Find X8 Pro flagship smartphones. Each delivers […]
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 November 2024 – OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand will launch Find X8 Series and ColorOS 15 at a global launch event, set to take place on November 21, 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. Debuting the all-new Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, each is set to redefine flagship smartphone excellence in its class. “Until now, flagship camera phones […]
NASA has successfully launched the highly anticipated Europa Clipper spacecraft, marking a pivotal step in the quest to understand whether life might exist beyond Earth. This mission, centered around Jupiter’s moon Europa, aims to explore the potential habitability of its ice-covered ocean, concealed beneath a thick crust. The spacecraft, which lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, represents NASA’s most ambitious attempt yet to unravel the mysteries of […]
A celestial phenomenon combining a lunar eclipse and a supermoon lit up skies across the globe, enchanting stargazers with a rare spectacle. The lunar eclipse occurred as the Earth positioned itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow over the lunar surface, while the supermoon, appearing unusually large and bright, added an extra layer of fascination. This unique alignment captured the attention of millions of observers, from seasoned astronomers to casual sky watchers, as it became a global talking point.
The event took place in the early morning hours, with regions around the world experiencing different phases of the eclipse. In the Emirates, a penumbral lunar eclipse was observed at around 5 a.m., where a subtle shadow was cast by the Earth onto the Moon’s surface. This particular type of eclipse is less dramatic than its total counterpart, with only a faint dimming of the Moon’s brightness noticeable to keen observers. Despite its subtlety, the event drew significant interest from astronomy enthusiasts who gathered to witness the natural wonder.
The supermoon, occurring when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee, added to the allure. Appearing around 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon, the supermoon illuminated the sky, creating a striking visual display. This rare combination of a supermoon and a lunar eclipse created a significant buzz across social media platforms, with many sharing images and experiences of the event.
The spectacle wasn’t confined to the Emirates, as different regions of the world experienced varying views of the lunar eclipse. In parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa, the lunar eclipse occurred during the night or early morning, offering a mesmerizing show. In Asia and Australia, viewers were treated to a similar display, although weather conditions played a crucial role in visibility. Clear skies offered the best conditions for observation, allowing the supermoon’s enhanced brilliance to shine through.
Astronomers and space agencies had been preparing for the event for weeks, providing detailed guidelines and timelines for optimal viewing. The Dubai Astronomy Group, for instance, organized live viewing sessions, helping enthusiasts follow the eclipse’s progression. Across the world, amateur astronomers set up telescopes and cameras to capture every phase, while public observatories offered special events and viewing parties to celebrate the occasion.
This particular lunar eclipse fell under the category of a penumbral eclipse, where only the outer shadow of the Earth, or penumbra, falls on the Moon’s surface. Unlike a total or partial lunar eclipse, where the Earth’s shadow directly blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, the penumbral eclipse creates a more muted effect. It is often difficult for the untrained eye to detect the subtle shading that occurs during such an eclipse, making it a more specialized observation for seasoned enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, the accompanying supermoon drew wide public interest, as its large and bright appearance is far more noticeable to casual sky gazers. Supermoons have long fascinated humans due to their rarity and visual impact, with many cultures attaching spiritual or mythological significance to the phenomenon. For scientists, supermoons provide a valuable opportunity to study the Moon’s characteristics more closely, as the increased proximity allows for clearer observation through telescopes and other instruments.
The lunar eclipse and supermoon coincided at a time when global interest in astronomy and space exploration has been on the rise. The event also coincided with the launch of several lunar exploration missions by space agencies worldwide, further heightening public interest in the Moon. NASA, for instance, has been actively promoting its Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface by the end of this decade. Similarly, China has made significant strides in its lunar exploration efforts, sending several missions to the Moon in recent years.
In addition to scientific pursuits, public fascination with lunar events has been boosted by the ease of access to high-quality telescopes and photography equipment. Amateur astronomers are now able to capture stunning images of celestial events like this one, sharing them widely on social media platforms and fostering a growing community of space enthusiasts. This accessibility has transformed the way people engage with astronomical phenomena, making them more widely observed and celebrated than ever before.
As with all celestial events, the lunar eclipse and supermoon served as a reminder of the delicate balance and movement of celestial bodies within our solar system. For many, these events offer a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe, inspiring questions about the nature of space and humanity’s place within it. The awe-inspiring sight of the Moon passing through Earth’s shadow while shining brightly as a supermoon has left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to witness it.
By K Raveendran The Supreme Court’s probing questions about the timing of arrests by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of political figures spotlight growing concerns about the propriety and implications of such actions, especially when juxtaposed with the electoral calendar. The apex court’s concerns telescope the potential misuse of central agencies as instruments of political influence, […]
For astronomy enthusiasts, gazing at the night sky has always held a unique allure. But the traditional telescope experience can be intimidating, often requiring extensive setup and knowledge to navigate the vast celestial expanse. Celestron, a leading telescope manufacturer, has unveiled a revolutionary product that promises to change the game for amateur astronomers: the Origin Intelligent Home Observatory. This innovative device is more than just a telescope; […]
A new chapter has begun in the search for life beyond Earth. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered the presence of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18b, an exoplanet located roughly 120 light-years away. This discovery marks a significant advancement in our understanding of this intriguing world and adds K2-18b to the shortlist of promising candidates in the hunt for extraterrestrial life. K2-18b, […]
