See the Finalists of the 2026 Astronomy Photographer of the Year
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the finalists for the 2026 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. Nearly 4,000 entries were submitted, with 29 works selected across various categories showcasing celestial phenomena.
Why it matters
This competition highlights the intersection of art and science, fostering public interest in astronomy and recognizing the technical skill required for astrophotography.
Aurorae. “Aurora Over Causey Reservoir (c) Samuel Morse” (USA). This stunning aurora shot is a straightforward single-frame image with no compositing or other alterations. The colour balance was pushed slightly towards blue to enhance vibrancy and create colors that complemented the red in the sky. Taken with a Sony ILCE-7M4 camera, tripod, Laowa AF 10 mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens, 10 mm f/2.8, ISO 1600, 30-second exposure Location: Weber County, Utah, USA, 11 November 2025
The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition has just announced its finalists, and the shortlisted images are truly breathtaking. For the 2026 edition of the contest, almost 4,000 photographs were submitted by both professional and amateur creatives from 66 countries around the world. Now, an expert panel of judges from the art and astronomy worlds have narrowed the search for a winner to 29 works across different categories.
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