Jump directly to the content
OUT OF THIS WORLD

Spectacular views of space from the solar eclipse to distant galaxies revealed in Greenwich Observatory photo contest

Amateur and professional alike submitted their entries for this year's Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest

AWE-INSPIRING photos of the galaxy that capture the beauty of Earth and its neighbours have been revealed in the Greenwich Observatory photo contest.

The winning photo, taken in Utah, USA, of an immense rocky landscape set beneath the glorious Milky Way, scooped the top prize of £10,000.

Brad Goldpaint's photograph of a majestic omposition of red rock formations with the Milky Way looming opposite the Andromeda galaxy
14
Brad Goldpaint's photograph of a majestic omposition of red rock formations with the Milky Way looming opposite the Andromeda galaxyCredit: © 2017 Goldpaint, All Rights Reserved. Registered with the United States Office Case

Judges were captivated with winner Brad Goldpaint's "breathtaking" snap that beat thousands of amateur and professional photographers from around the world.

Winning images of the other categories include the breathaking Aurora Borealis above a fjord in Norway, August's total solar eclipse, and the solar system captured from a Brit's back garden.

The youngster's category winner was 15-year-old Italian Fabian Dalpiaz who snapped an incredible photo of a meteor passing over the Alpe di Siusi alpine meadow.

The Milky Way contrasted with the Andromeda galaxy in Brad Goldpaint's photo had the judges gushing over his entry.

This stunning runner-up photo captured the glorious night sky above a quiet suburban street
14
This stunning runner-up photo captured the glorious night sky above a quiet suburban streetCredit: © 2017 Andrew Whyte
This hauntingly detailed picture of the moon went far in the competition
14
This hauntingly detailed picture of the moon went far in the competitionCredit: Casper Kentish
This highly commended piece shows off Thackeray's Globules in Narrowband Colour
14
This highly commended piece shows off Thackeray's Globules in Narrowband ColourCredit: Rolf Wahl Olsen
Chuanjin Su's mesmerising piece of an Eclipsed Moon Trail
14
Chuanjin Su's mesmerising piece of an Eclipsed Moon TrailCredit: Chuanjin Su
This otherwordly shot set in the Italian Alps by Fabian Dalpiaz, 15, won the young photographer's category
14
This otherwordly shot set in the Italian Alps by Fabian Dalpiaz, 15, won the young photographer's categoryCredit: Fabian Dalpiaz
Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick in Cumbria, snapped by Matthew James Turner
14
Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick in Cumbria, snapped by Matthew James TurnerCredit: Matthew James Turner
The fantastical Aurora Borealis in Norway
14
The fantastical Aurora Borealis in NorwayCredit: Mikkel Beiter
Mark McNeill's 'Me versus the Galaxy' was highly commended
14
Mark McNeill's 'Me versus the Galaxy' was highly commendedCredit: Mark McNeill
Peter Ward's shining moon shot from Australia
14
Peter Ward's shining moon shot from AustraliaCredit: Peter Ward
A parade of the planets by Martin Lewis
14
A parade of the planets by Martin LewisCredit: Martin Lewis
Nicolas Lefaudeux's mystical shot of the Aurora
14
Nicolas Lefaudeux's mystical shot of the AuroraCredit: Nicolas Lefaudeu
This fantastic entry was taken by ten-year-old Davy van der Hoeven from the Netherlands
14
This fantastic entry was taken by ten-year-old Davy van der Hoeven from the NetherlandsCredit: Davy van der Hoeven

Competition judge Will Gater said: "For me this superb image is emblematic of everything it means to be an astrophotographer.

"The balance between light and dark, the contrasting textures and tones of land and sky and the photographer alone under a starry canopy of breathtaking scale and beauty."

The competition, named Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year, is run by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Now in its tenth year, the contest received over 4,200 entries from more than 90 countries across the globe.

MOST READ IN UK NEWS

Huge fire rips through London tower block as 75 firefighters scrambled
UP IN FLAMES

Huge fire rips through London tower block as 75 firefighters scrambled

Mum, 25, killed when 4x4 'ploughed into her e-bike five times during chase'
CRASH 'MURDER'

Mum, 25, killed when 4x4 'ploughed into her e-bike five times during chase'

Tragedy as man in his 30s found dead in iconic city centre hotel
HOTEL HORROR

Tragedy as man in his 30s found dead in iconic city centre hotel

Major fire warning to vapers as businesses face £6,000 fines in days
VAPE ALERT

Major fire warning to vapers as businesses face £6,000 fines in days

A special exhibition at the National Maritime Museum is now open, showcasing ten years of outstanding astrophotography.

This year's winners will be published in the competition's official book by Collins, available exclusively at Royal Museums Greenwich shops and online from 24 October, with all major bookstores stocking from 1 November.

  • For information about entering next year’s competition visit  
Scientists from the European Space Agency explain how the BepiColombo mission will reach Mercury in seven years

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

14
machibet777.com