“Motind” by Rune Engebo

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

13 August 2015 Astronomy Now

Motind is a hill in Troms. Living in Norway, the photographer has seen his fair share of aurorae, but on 21 January 2015 he witnessed the strongest variety of colours he had ever set eyes on in this beautiful explosion of purples and greens. Careening over the peaks of Senja, oxygen produces the greens and nitrogen the purples, seen in this particular display of the Northern Lights. Image credit: © Rune Engebo / Royal Museums Greenwich. (Click image for full-size version.)
Motind is a hill in Troms. Living in Norway, the photographer has seen his fair share of aurorae, but on 21 January 2015 he witnessed the strongest variety of colours he had ever set eyes on in this beautiful explosion of purples and greens. Careening over the peaks of Senja, oxygen produces the greens and nitrogen the purples, seen in this particular display of the Northern Lights. Image credit: © Rune Engebo / 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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Researchers explain why the Greenwich prime meridian moved

13 August 2015 Astronomy Now

In 1884, a delegation of international representatives convened in Washington, D.C. to recommend that Earth’s prime meridian marking zero degrees longitude should pass through the Airy Transit Circle (ATC) at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. But according to the GPS receivers of surveyors and smartphones of London tourists today, why does the line of zero longitude run 102 metres east of the ATC?

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“IC 443” by Patrick Gilliland

10 September 2015 Astronomy Now

Nomination number 13 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. The 2015 competition received 2700 spectacular entries from over 60 countries and the winners will be announced 17 September.

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“Orion Nebula, M42” by Patrick Gilliland

2 September 2015 Astronomy Now

Nomination number 11 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. The 2015 competition received 2700 spectacular entries from over 60 countries and the winners will be announced 17 September.