Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring wonders of the universe, which have fascinated stargazers and astronomers for centuries. Witness the extraordinary finalists of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, a collection of mesmerizing celestial visuals that will leave you captivated. From the dynamic dance of solar flares to the vibrant colors of auroras and the enchanting allure of nebulas, these breathtaking images have captured the attention of the esteemed contest organized by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Supported by Liberty Specialty Markets and in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine, this prestigious competition attracts the finest astrophotographers from around the world. The caliber of this year’s finalists is a testament to the fierce competition among these talented artists. With a staggering 4,000 entries from 64 countries, each vying for recognition in nine different categories and two special prizes, a distinguished panel of expert judges has meticulously narrowed down the selection. The result is a collection of outstanding photographs that exemplify the artistry and technical prowess of the astrophotography community.
The winners of the competition will be announced in September, and their extraordinary images, along with a curated selection of exceptional shortlisted photographs, will be showcased at the National Maritime Museum. Join us in anticipation as we eagerly await the unveiling of this year’s victors and discover which of these stunning photographs will emerge triumphant in the contest. Scroll down, be inspired, and visit their website for more galleries and information.
Featured Photographs:
#1 Arctic Gates by Daniel Viñé Garcia: Experience the Northern Lights over the mammoth sundial Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn, Iceland. This captivating image was taken with a Sony Alpha 7RIII camera.
#2 Comet 2022 E3 Above Snowy Mount Etna by Dario Giannobile: Witness Comet 2022 E3 soaring over Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, amidst volcanic vapors. Taken with a Canon EOS 6D camera, this image showcases the mesmerizing contrast between the glowing green comet and the snowy landscape.
#3 Crescent Moon in a Magical Sunset by Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau: This composite image captures the beauty of the crescent Moon during a stunning sunset in Rafaela, Argentina. Taken with a Canon EOS 90D camera, the intense red clouds perfectly complement the illuminated Moon.
#4 Ball of Rock by Rich Addis: A composite image of the Moon, showcasing its different phases. This complex mosaic was created using close-up shots taken with a Celestron 6SE SCT telescope, revealing the intricate details of the Moon’s surface.
#5 Sperrgebiet by Vikas Chander: Explore the remains of a decayed processing plant in Bogenfelsin, Namibia, once occupied by German colonialist diamond miners. This photograph, taken with a Nikon D850 camera, captures the haunting beauty of this abandoned landscape.
#6 C/2021 A1 (Leonard) in the Sky of Israel by Alex Savenok: Marvel at Comet Leonard as it passes over the Negev desert in Israel. This highly visible comet, captured with a Nikon Z7 II camera, showcases its clear tail.
#7 Dune by Burak Esenbey: Be captivated by the Milky Way as it illuminates the White Desert National Park in Egypt. This stunning photograph, taken with a Sony ILCE-7S (Astro modified) camera, reveals the beauty of the night sky against the backdrop of Venus.
#8 The Milky Way by Kush Chandaria: Witness the majestic Milky Way in all its glory in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. With minimal light pollution, the naked eye can clearly see the Milky Way. This photograph, taken with a Sigma Art 40 mm telescope, showcases its breathtaking beauty.
#9 Mare Crisium: From Light to Dark by Andrea Vanoni: Discover the lunar sea of Mare Crisium, located in the Moon’s Crisium basin. This mosaic photograph, taken with a Newton Ares 405mm F4.5 telescope, highlights the multitude of craters within the basin.
#10 Curtain of Light by Andreas Ettl: Experience an auroral substorm as it forms a mesmerizing curtain of light over Olstind mountain in Norway. This photograph, taken with a Nikon Z7 camera, captures the fleeting beauty of the lights before they fade away.
#11 Dolbadarn Castle, Home of Welsh Princes by Robert Price: Explore Dolbadarn Castle, nestled in the heart of Eryri, Wales, with the core of the Milky Way rising behind it. This stunning image, taken with a Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera, showcases the captivating beauty of the night sky.
#12 Celestial Equator Above First World War Trench Memorial by Louis Leroux-Gere: Marvel at the star trails above the preserved First World War trenches in Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park, France. This long exposure photograph, taken with a Canon EOS 6D (Astro modified) camera, reveals the rotation of the sky and the colorful stars.
#13 Radio Polaris by João Yordanov Serralheiro: Witness star trails over a deactivated radio telescope antenna at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory in Cambridge, UK. This captivating image, taken with a Sony ILCE-7M2 camera, showcases the beauty of the night sky.
#14 Solar Flare X1 from AR2994 in ‘Motion’ by Miguel Claro: This photograph captures a solar flare on the Sun, taken from a timelapse of a 27-minute event. Witness the beauty of this solar phenomenon, which took place in the Dark Sky Alqueva region in Évora.
#15 The Great Solar Flare by Mehmet Ergün: Experience the Sun as it moves towards its maximum cycle, with a massive 700,000km long solar flare erupting to the left of the image. Taken with a LUNT LS60 B1200 Double Stack telescope, this photograph showcases the power and beauty of our closest star.
#16 Dance of the Moons by Damian Peach: Witness Jupiter flanked by its moons, Io and Europa, in this extraordinary photograph. Taken with a Celestron C14 EdgeHD telescope, this image reveals the Great Red Spot and the shadow of Europa cutting across it.
Prepare to be amazed by these extraordinary images that bring the wonders of the universe to life.