Cosmic Wonders Abound within the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest — Colossal

From aurora borealis to the Milky Way to distant nebulae, cosmic phenomena induces marvel like little else. When confronted with distant galaxies and the seemingly limitless sea of trillions of stars—a trillion trillion, really, often called a septillion—the sheer scope is unimaginable to know. The universe’s workings might all the time stay a thriller. So it’s no shock that when peering up on the evening sky, whether or not it’s homing in on distant stellar clusters or just watching the moon rise, pictures helps us recognize its enigmatic magnificence.

This yr’s ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competitors acquired greater than 5,800 entries from astrophotographers in additional than 60 international locations. The prime prize has been awarded to Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, and Chuhong Yu for his or her picture titled “The Andromeda Core,” captured utilizing a focal-length telescope at AstroCamp Observatory in Nerpio, Spain. The exceptional picture particulars the core of the Andromeda Galaxy, additionally know as M31, revealing the intricate construction of its heart and the unimaginable array of surrounding stars.

This yr, photographers submitted images in classes similar to Skyscapes, Our Sun, Our Moon, and Stars and Nebulae. Taking the highest spot within the Aurore group is Kavan Chay’s “Crown of Light,” shot at Tumbledown Bay in New Zealand. Luis Vilariño’s runner-up picture showcases a vivid inexperienced aurora curtain within the sky over an otherworldly Icelandic panorama.

Explore the winners’ gallery on the Royal Museums Greenwich website, and go to the National Maritime Museum to see the work of greater than 100 photographers in stunning mild field displays. The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 17 exhibition continues by way of August 2026.