Antarctic Space Station by Richard Inman

160908-antarctic-space-station-richard-inman-768
Image © Richard Inman

A view of the Halley 6 Research Station situated on the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica, which is believed to be the closest thing you can get to living in space without leaving Earth, making it perfect to be used for research by the European Space Agency. As the Sun’s light dissipates into the horizon, the aurora can be seen swirling overhead.

This image, by Richard Inman of the UK, is one of those shortlisted in this year’s Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

The winners of the competition’s nine categories and two special prizes will be announced on Thursday 15th September at a special award ceremony at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. A free exhibition featuring the winning images will open at the Observatory’s Astronomy Centre on Saturday 17 September.

A record number of more than 4500 entries were received from astrophotographers in over 80 countries.

See tips on getting started in astrophotography from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year judges.