The shortlisted candidates for Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 offer a breathtaking glimpse into the wonders of the cosmos, showcasing the magnificence of the skies around us. These images capture mesmerizing celestial events, from vibrant auroras dancing across the night sky to distant constellations and exploding sunspots.
One captivating image captures a powerful geomagnetic storm creating a stunning display of multicolored hues across the night sky in Iceland. Photographer describes the experience as “one of the most amazing that I have experienced in my nighttime photography outings.” The vibrant colors of the aurora, a result of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, are a testament to the power and beauty of the universe.
Another breathtaking image showcases an exploding sunspot spewing out glowing plasma from the sun’s surface. captured this vibrant display of energy, highlighting the immense power and activity of our star.
From the Canary Islands, photographer captured the immense Isaac Newton Telescope sitting below ominous cosmic clouds from the Cygnus constellation. The Cygnus region, known for its bright and vibrant star-forming regions, is a favorite among astronomers and astrophotographers alike.
Moving from Earth to the far reaches of space, captured the forming of a dragon-like shape in the constellation Carina. Its tail descends into the horizon, and bright green hues take the shape of wings that tower over the rock pyramids of the Arctic Henge in Iceland. The image is a captivating blend of celestial beauty and terrestrial landscapes.
In another awe-inspiring image, created an entrancing image of radial stars above the ruins of an old jetty and cracked mudflats at Snettisham beach in Norfolk, U.K. The curved channel in the mudflat mirrors the trailing stars, creating a visually stunning representation of the cosmos.
The interstellar clouds of CG 4 (Cometary Globule 4) form a monstrous shape as if ready to devour the cosmos, in a picture taken by a team of astrophotographers known as The ShaRa group. The peculiar formation of gas clouds and dust is classed as a “cometary globule” because of its comet-like shape, and it’s often referred to as “the cosmic arm” because of its similarity to an arm stretching across the universe.
The astrophotography team noticed the shape’s resemblance to two famous fictional monsters: “Is this the cosmic sandworm of Arrakis, from ‘Dune,’ or the terrifying Graboid from the film ‘Tremors’?” said Alessandro Ravagnin, a member of The ShaRa group.
In another image, captured the beauty of the Pleiades constellation, also known as Messier 45 or the Seven Sisters. The Pleiades consists of thousands of stars but is known for its seven brightest stars and is located 445 light-years from Earth. Due to light pollution in Budapest, Biliczki traveled to Spain to photograph the constellation. “The Pleiades are a popular target among astrophotographers, but there are still many tiny details to be discovered,” Biliczki said.
A breathtaking panorama captures the Geminids meteor shower in front of the entire winter Milky Way in the night sky over La Palma. Jakob Sahner observed three meteors per minute within his field of view during the peak of the shower, showcasing the awe-inspiring spectacle of these celestial events.
Lastly, captured the Cygnus supernova in a haunting image named “The Scream of a Dying Star.” The name is a reference to ‘The Scream,’ the famous painting by Edvard Munch, symbolising the scream that continues to echo through space after the star’s death. Sainty took advantage of the lack of light pollution and a long exposure time to capture rare details of the Cygnus Loop, such as the outer layers of the supernova remnant.
These images are a testament to the beauty and wonder of the universe, showcasing the talent and dedication of the photographers who captured them. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 competition continues to inspire awe and appreciation for the cosmos, reminding us of the vastness and magnificence of the universe we inhabit.
