“Herschel 36, the Heart of the Lagoon” by László Francsics

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015

6 August 2015 Astronomy Now

Situated some 5,000 light-years away, the stellar nursery of the Lagoon Nebula lies in the constellation of Sagittarius. Despite being so far away, the Lagoon Nebula is in fact one of the few star-forming nebulae that it is possible to see with the naked eye in optimum conditions from mid-northern and southern latitudes. Image credit: © László Francsics / Royal Museums Greenwich. (Click image for full-size version.)
Situated some 5,000 light-years away, the stellar nursery of the Lagoon Nebula lies in the constellation of Sagittarius. Despite being so far away, the Lagoon Nebula is in fact one of the few star-forming nebulae that it is possible to see with the naked eye under optimal conditions from mid-northern and southern latitudes. Image credit: © László Francsics / 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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See the old Moon join a dawn planetary parade, 18–19 March

11 March 2020 Ade Ashford

If you’re an early riser in the British Isles, let the waning crescent Moon be your guide to three naked-eye planets – Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – at dawn on 18 and 19 March 2020. This celestial conjunction occurs in the constellation of Sagittarius where you can see all four Solar System bodies within the span of a fist at arm’s length. Look for attractive binocular conjunctions too.