The night sky has always captivated humanity’s imagination, with the moon standing as a timeless symbol of mystery and wonder. Each year, the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition showcases breathtaking images of celestial phenomena, and the moon, Earth’s celestial companion, often takes center stage.
Here are 15 mesmerizing moon photos from this prestigious competition, each one offering a unique perspective on our closest cosmic neighbor. The Moon has existed for over four billion years, yet it still holds an air of mystery and intrigue. The winning and shortlisted images in the Our Moon category offer fresh perspectives on our very familiar neighbour.
Entry to the 2024 competition is now open. The entry window closes at 12pm GMT on 5 March. Find out more about the competition, rules and prizes below, and submit your entries here. Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.
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#1. Winner: Mars-Set by Ethan Chappel
Taken in Cibolo, Texas, USA, 8 December 2022
“On 8 December 2022, two events coincided to bring a rare and spectacular sight to the night sky. Mars was at opposition, when it was directly opposite the Sun, and was nearly at its biggest and brightest. At the same time, our moon had reached Full Moon and was also directly opposite the Sun in the sky,” Ethan says.
“This coincidence meant astronomers across North America and Europe saw Mars hide behind the Moon, an event known as a lunar occultation. I was fortunate to be near the southern edge of the path where Mars skimmed the Moon’s southern highlands before disappearing for a few minutes.”
#2. Runner-up: Sundown on the Terminator by Tom Williams
Taken in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK, 20 August 2022
“This is a high-contrast view of the Moon’s Plato Crater and the surrounding terrain during a local lunar sunset,” Tom explains.
“The third-quarter phase allowed for a striking view of the region, where some of the shadows measure more than 70 kilometres in length. The final two-panel mosaic shown here is one of my best lunar captures of recent times.”
#3. Highly commended: Last Full Moon of the Year Featuring a Colourful Corona During a Close Encounter With Mars by Miguel Claro
#4. Shortlist: Aristarchus and the Schröter-Valley by Ralf Burkart
#5. Shortlist: Crescent by András Papp
#6. Shortlist: Sequence of Full Moon Over Rivington Pike by Lee Mansfield
#7. Shortlist: A Rocky Rise by Carl Evans
#8. Shortlist: Mare Crisium: From Light to Dark by Andrea Vanoni
#9. Shortlist: Moonrise, Laruns by Jamie Clarkson
#10. Shortlist: Hook Head Moonrise by Tom O’Hanlon
#11. Shortlist: Crescent Moon in a Magical Sunset by Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau
#12. Shortlist: ISS Lunar Transit by Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau
#13. Shortlist: Ball of Rock by Rich Addis
#14. Shortlist: Moon With Ancient Pagoda by Liang Chen
#15. Shortlist: The Shadow of the Earth by György Soponyai
