“The Magnificent Omega Centauri” by Ignacio Diaz Bobillo

Stars & Nebulae category winner: Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

23 September 2015 Astronomy Now
Omega (ω) Centauri (NGC 5139) is the brightest, largest and most spectacular globular star cluster, a showpiece object of the southern sky. This image was captured from San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina by astrophotographer Ignacio Diaz Bobillo using an AP130GT telescope, Losmandy G11 mount, Canon 6D, Baader modified and peltier-cooled camera, 865mm f/6.5 lens, ISO800, 22 x 180-second exposures. Image credit: © Ignacio Diaz Bobillo.
Omega (ω) Centauri (NGC 5139) is the brightest, largest and most spectacular globular star cluster, a showpiece object of the southern sky. This image was captured from San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina by astrophotographer Ignacio Diaz Bobillo using an AP130GT telescope, Losmandy G11 mount, Canon 6D, Baader modified and peltier-cooled camera, 865mm f/6.5 lens, ISO800, 22 x 180-second exposures. Image credit: © Ignacio Diaz Bobillo.

In the words of the astrophotographer: “I always come back to this spectacular object, especially when it is high up in the sky on a night of good seeing, as in this case. By using a full-frame camera, I was able to bring into the frame a few galaxies in the background, as well as a hint of IFN (Integrated Flux Nebula). Star colour is always challenging when using one-shot colour cameras.”

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.

We will showcase the winning images from all 11 categories over the next few days, but if you wish to see them all together on display, 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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