“The Arrow Missed the Heart” by Lefteris Velissaratos

Planets, Comets & Asteroids category winner: Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

20 September 2015 Astronomy Now

This image shows Comet/2014 E2 Jacques passing in front of the nebula NGC 896, the 'drop of blood' from the Heart Nebula (IC 1805) above. Astrophotographer Lefteris Velissaratos used a FSQ106 f/5 telescope, EQ8 mount, STL 11000M camera, 530mm lens and a 120-second exposure from Strethi Mountain, Corinthia, Greece. Image credit: © Lefteris Velissaratos.
This image shows comet C/2014 E2 Jacques passing in front of emission nebula NGC 896, the ‘drop of blood’ from the Heart Nebula (IC 1805) above. Astrophotographer Lefteris Velissaratos used a FSQ106 f/5 telescope, EQ8 mount, STL 11000M camera, 530mm lens and a 120-second exposure from Strethi Mountain, Corinthia, Greece. Image credit: © Lefteris Velissaratos.
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.

This year’s Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition received a record 2700 entries by astrophotographers from 59 countries around the world. These astonishing pictures reveal fresh perspectives on astrophotography favourites alongside some of the great astronomical events of the last year.

In subsequent weeks we will showcase the winning images from all 11 categories, but if you wish to see them all together, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has an exhibition open 18 September 2015 — 26 June 2016. Hours: 10.00–17.00, entry is free.

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