“Ascent of Angels” by Brad Goldpaint

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

9 August 2015 Astronomy Now

Following his first up-close encounter with a black bear, the photographer was relieved to reach his destination safely and capture this phenomenal image. A meteor can be seen piercing through the darkness as the Milky Way towers above the 4,392-metre peak of Mount Rainier in Washington, USA. The white lights dotted across the rocky paths of the mountain’s face are the headlamps of hikers ascending to the peak. Image credit: © Brad Goldpaint / Royal Museums Greenwich. (Click image for full-size version.)
Following his first up-close encounter with a black bear, the photographer was relieved to reach his destination safely and capture this phenomenal image. A meteor can be seen piercing through the darkness as the Milky Way towers above the 4,392-metre peak of Mount Rainier in Washington, USA. The white lights dotted across the rocky paths of the mountain’s face are the headlamps of hikers ascending to the peak. Image credit: © Brad Goldpaint / 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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“Orion DT” by David Tolliday

27 September 2015 Astronomy Now

David Tolliday’s stunning image of the Orion and Running Man Nebulae was captured on his first night’s attempt at astrophotography — winning image of The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer category in the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition 2015.

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“The Arrow Missed the Heart” by Lefteris Velissaratos

20 September 2015 Astronomy Now

A stunning juxtaposition of an ethereal solar system body, long-period comet C/2014 E2 Jacques, and the vast, heart-shaped emission nebula IC 1805, some 7,500 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia — winning image of the Planets, Comets & Asteroids category in the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition 2015.