A space shark, 'royal' auroras and a 'Venusian pearl': See the winners of the 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest
Ali Alobaidly won the 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest for his image of the Shark Nebula. The winning photo was captured in Kuwait and highlights the intersection of amateur astronomy and artistic expression.
Why it matters
Astronomy photography contests promote public interest in space science and recognize the technical skill of amateur observers.
A Royal Observatory Greenwich contest showcased work from around the night sky and the solar system, with prize-winning photos spanning topics ranging from auroras to planets.
By Elizabeth Howell Edited by Brandon Specktor , Laura Mondrag n Published 17 September 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
The Shark Nebula, located in the Whale constellation, takes center stage in this year's top photo at the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest. (Image credit: (c) Ali Alobaidly) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter A picture of a distant, shark-shaped cloud of gas in space has earned the top prize in a Royal Observatory Greenwich contest for amateur space photographers.
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