The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 18 Shortlist: A Celebration of Celestial Creativity
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has unveiled the shortlist for the prestigious ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 18 competition, a testament to the boundless creativity and technical prowess of photographers worldwide. With nearly 4,000 entries from 66 countries, this year's competition showcases a diverse range of celestial wonders, from awe-inspiring solar eclipses to breathtaking Milky Way mosaics.
One standout entry is James McBeath's 'Moody Partial Solar Eclipse,' a hauntingly beautiful image captured during a solar eclipse in a Leeds park. McBeath's dedication to tracking the eclipse through fast-moving clouds resulted in a stunning, ethereal photograph.
Takanobu Kurosaki's 'Setsu-getsu-ka' is another remarkable entry. This single-exposure image seamlessly combines cherry blossom trees, a lunar halo, and a snow-capped mountain at the Funakawa River. The timing of the shot, capturing the blossoms in their brief ten-day bloom, adds to its uniqueness.
Jennifer Rogers' 'Pulsing Aurora Eagle' captures the majestic shape of an eagle within a pulsating aurora display over the Lofoten Islands in Norway. This fleeting moment, captured before the aurora vanished, is a testament to Rogers' skill and timing.
Yifan Cao's 'Goðafoss Waterfall Outburst' showcases a vibrant display of green, red, and purple above the Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland. This first-time entry has already made the shortlist for the Best Newcomer prize, indicating Cao's potential as a rising star in astrophotography.
In the ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer category, 14-year-old 与晨 林 from Xiamen, China, impressed with a high-resolution H-alpha image of the Sun's chromosphere, revealing intricate details of sunspots, filaments, and prominences.
The competition also celebrates alternative printing techniques. Ksawery Wrobel's '182-Day Solargraph' is a testament to the beauty of long-exposure photography, capturing the sun's journey over 182 days. Similarly, Chuhong Yu and Zuoming Wang's deep-field image of the Andromeda Galaxy required over 111 hours of exposure across multiple months, showcasing the dedication and skill required in astrophotography.
The nine category winners, two special prize winners, and the overall winner will be announced on September 17, 2026. The exhibition of winning and shortlisted images at the National Maritime Museum in London from September 18 promises to be a captivating event for astronomy enthusiasts and photographers alike.
The official book, published by Collins in association with Royal Museums Greenwich, will be available from September 18 and in bookstores from October 2. This competition not only celebrates the art of astrophotography but also inspires further exploration of the universe, encouraging photographers to push the boundaries of their craft.
As an avid astronomy photographer myself, I am thrilled to witness the incredible talent showcased in this year's shortlist. The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition continues to be a platform for extraordinary imagery, inspiring both photographers and astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
