“Herschel 36, the Heart of the Lagoon” by László Francsics

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

6 August 2015 Astronomy Now

Situated some 5,000 light-years away, the stellar nursery of the Lagoon Nebula lies in the constellation of Sagittarius. Despite being so far away, the Lagoon Nebula is in fact one of the few star-forming nebulae that it is possible to see with the naked eye in optimum conditions from mid-northern and southern latitudes. Image credit: © László Francsics / Royal Museums Greenwich. (Click image for full-size version.)
Situated some 5,000 light-years away, the stellar nursery of the Lagoon Nebula lies in the constellation of Sagittarius. Despite being so far away, the Lagoon Nebula is in fact one of the few star-forming nebulae that it is possible to see with the naked eye under optimal conditions from mid-northern and southern latitudes. Image credit: © László Francsics / Royal Museums Greenwich. (Click image for full-size version.)
The Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition is an annual celebration of the most beautiful and spectacular visions of the cosmos by astrophotographers worldwide. In 2015 the competition launched for its seventh year, with new categories and more prizes up for grabs. With over 2700 spectacular entries from over 60 countries, it’s been the toughest year yet for the judges.

Over the coming weeks we will feature, in no particular order, each of the final 16 selected images and winners will be announced by Royal Museums Greenwich on 17 September. The winning images are to be showcased at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in an exhibition opening 18 September.

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“Aurora Panorama 3” by Jan R. Olsen

31 July 2015 Astronomy Now

Our third nomination from the prestigious Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, an annual celebration of the most beautiful and spectacular visions of the cosmos by astrophotographers worldwide. Now in its seventh year, the 2015 competition received 2700 spectacular entries from over 60 countries and the winners will be announced 17 September.

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Messier 17 in Sagittarius: a cosmic rose with many names

24 September 2015 Astronomy Now

This new image of the rose-coloured star forming region Messier 17 was captured by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It is one of the sharpest images showing the entire nebula and not only reveals its full size, but also retains fine detail throughout the cosmic landscape of gas clouds, dust and newborn stars.