The Astronomy Photo Awards present the most beautiful photos in the universe

An incredible image of a solar eclipse won this year’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. Selected from over 4,500 entries, the stunning photo was awarded alongside other highlights, including a number of technically masterful photos of distant galaxies.

The illustrious photo competition is in its 13th year and is organized by the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Observatory itself was founded in 1675 and has been at the center of several historical milestones in the measurement of time and space.

This year’s top prize went to photographer Shuchang Dong for a deceptively simple photo of a solar eclipse. Dong’s image was taken in Tibet during a total solar eclipse in mid-2020.

“This image demonstrates both the beauty and simplicity of an eclipse, but also the science behind this astronomical event,” said Emily Darbek-Maunder, one of this year’s judges. “Our sun can still be seen as a ring surrounding the Moon as it passes in front of the Sun, and mountains on the lunar surface can be seen hiding some of that light in the lower right portion of the image. an amazing achievement! “

Winning the Aurorae category was a mesmerizing shot by photographer Dmitrii Rybalka. Taken from a moving ship approaching the Kara Strait in Russia, Judge Sue Prichard said the image was reminiscent of an opening scene from a sci-fi movie.

“I am intrigued by this image,” says Prichard. She is at the same time beautiful but extremely disturbing. The juxtaposition of the liveliness of the green with the inky blue of the ship is so dense, almost like velvet. However, the absence of any sign of human life on this constantly moving ship resembles the opening scene of a sci-fi movie. “

Another astonishing, somewhat unprecedented highlight came with Chinese photographer Zhong Wu’s breathtaking 360-degree mosaic of the Milky Way. Wu spent two years piecing together the image from 1,000 separate shots taken in the southern and northern hemispheres.

“This cosmic circle is one of the most breathtaking entrances we have seen this year,” Judge Imad Ahmed said. “The color balance, from the bright upper half of the ring to the darker, darker lower half, seems to encompass a whole range of majesty and beauty. The dedication of the photographer, who took nearly two years to reconstruct this photo, must also be applauded. “

Discover in our gallery all the winners of the most spectacular photo contest in the universe.

Source: Royal Museums of Greenwich