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Celestial Wonders Abound In Astronomy Photographer Of The Year Contest Winning Images | Weather.com

Celestial Wonders Abound In Astronomy Photographer Of The Year Contest Winning Images

Take a look at the universe as you've never seen it before in these winning images from this year's astronomy photographer of the year competition.

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See The Space Photos Of The Year

Looking for some inspiration to get out this fall and winter to watch (and maybe even photograph) some celestial events? Look no further than the winners and finalists of the annual ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich in England holds the competition every year, showcasing mind-blowing astrophotography from enthusiasts around the globe. Here are some of our favorites from this year's winners. You can find all the winners (and finalists) here.

(Kavan Chay )

"Crown of Light" by Kavan Chay won in the aurorae category this year. Competition judge Yuri Beletsky writes, “This breathtaking panoramic image, taken during an intense G5 storm, captures the vibrant Aurora Australis piercing through clouds above a rugged coastline. Its strength lies in the balance of technical precision and emotional resonance. The rocky coastline anchors the scene, contrasting with the ethereal glow of the aurora. The photographer’s expertise is clear in the seamless stitching of the panorama and refined processing of the sky. Taken after hours of effort, the image conveys both the aurora’s natural beauty and the photographer’s dedication. Congratulations to the photographer on a remarkable achievement.”

(Tom Rae)
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"The Ridge" by Tom Rae won in the skyscapes category this year. “There is so much to love in this image. It is absolutely breathtaking. The vibrant colours of the landscape, the night sky and the individual stars are all remarkable. The photographer has captured impressive depth in the Milky Way, including the added hydrogen regions, without overdoing it. I appreciate how the airglow appears to cradle the sky, and the landscape contributes to a very balanced composition. Truly eye-catching and dreamy,” writes judge Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn.

(Distant Luminosity group)

"M13 – An Ultra-Deep Exposure of the Popular Cluster" by the Distant Luminosity group won in this year's stars and nebulae category. “It’s the incredible balance of detail at different distances that makes this a truly impressive image," writes judge Greg Brown, continuing, "Subtle grey clouds of interstellar dust and a field of local stars make up the foreground. In the middle distance is the Great Hercules Cluster itself, beautifully captured right to its luminescent core. But it’s the background that makes this image complete. Dozens of galaxies pepper the scene. More are revealed the longer you look to the point that it begins to do the Hubble Deep Field proud. With razor-sharp focus and beautiful bursts of colour, this is a worthy winner of the category. ”

(Dan Bartlett )

Dan Bartlett's "Comet 12P-Pons-Brooks Taking a Final Bow" is this year's winner in the planets, comets and asteroids category. Judge Martin Lewis writes, “This fine cometary image is dramatically composed and exceptionally crisp and detailed. Its blue tones contrast beautifully with the brilliant orange star nearby. The billowing tail evokes the sense of the comet roaring across the night sky – reminiscent of the fiery trail of the rocket ship in the 1936 film Flash Gordon.”

What do you think? Which photo is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below, and check out the rest of the winners at the official contest page here.

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