The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, a yearly event highlighting stunning space photography, has returned for its 16th edition. Over 3500 images were submitted for consideration, and 30 of them made it to the shortlist. One of the captivating photos in the running is Carina Letelier Baeza’s Arctic Dragon, taken at the Arctic Henge in Iceland. The image captures an aurora caused by a geomagnetic storm, resembling a rearing dragon in the sky.
Another impressive entry is The Scream of a Dying Star, photographed by Yann Sainty. The image showcases the Cygnus Loop, the glowing remnants of a supernova that exploded around 10,000 years ago. Sainty’s long exposure shot in the Atlas mountains in Morocco reveals intricate details of the dying star, reminiscent of the famous painting The Scream by Edvard Munch.
Additionally, Geshuang Chen’s photograph of the sun’s corona above the Himalayas near Shigatse in Tibet is a sight to behold. The corona, the sun’s outer layer of atmosphere, is usually obscured by the sun’s brightness. However, the thin clouds in the image diffract sunlight, creating a stunning display of iridescent colors. Chen titled the photo The Palette of the Himalayas.
The winners of the competition, organized by the Royal Observatory in London, will be announced on 12 September. The winning images will be showcased in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in London starting from 14 September. These breathtaking photographs offer a unique perspective on the beauty and magnificence of space, capturing moments that are both awe-inspiring and mesmerizing.
