Winterstellar Charitable Trust trustee Andy Davey said that in the five years the exhibition had run, this year would mark the first time Winterstellar would buy images to create a collection that could be toured around New Zealand.
Rather than the artists owning their prints, paying to get them printed and the exhibition having to give them back at the end, owning the prints would allow Winterstellar to keep them, curate them and make each year different, he said.
Because it was the first time it had been able to keep the exhibition together, Winterstellar hoped to be able to take the exhibit around New Zealand. The Dunedin Railway Station would host it next year, he said.
It is hoped that with Creative New Zealand funding, Winterstellar would be able to reach out further.
"So whether it be an airport, a shopping mall, houses of Parliament, or any particular space, we can take [it] over to show the best of the South Island night sky to whatever audience passes through."
Since the first event in 2020, Mr Davey said one of his motivations was to keep putting on a better exhibition each year.
Over the years the camera technology had improved and the photographers who took part had gained a lot more experience, he said.
Another motivation for the Winterstellar Charitable Trust was to advocate for the protection of New Zealand dark skies.
"The night skies of Central Otago here are probably the best night skies in the world."
One part of the exhibit that was yet to be put on display was an almost seven and a-half-metre image of the Milky Way. At present there was no room in the museum to display it.
The image was intended to be put up in September when room becomes available, and would be on display until November.
The main exhibition would be on display until September 22, he said.
