Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2020 Winners

Andromeda Galaxy at Arm's Length © Nicolas Lefaudeux

French photographer Nicolas Lefaudeux has beaten thousands of amateur and professional photographers from around the globe to win the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s title of 'Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2020'.   

The judges were captivated by Lefaudeux's awe-inspiring image which depicts a version of the Andromeda Galaxy seemingly at arm's length.

Competition judge Ed Robinson said: "To most of us, our closest neighbouring galaxy Andromeda can also feel so distanced and out of reach, yet to create a photograph that gives us the impression that it is just within our physical reach is truly magical and somewhat appropriate as we adjust after such socially distanced times."

Aurorae Winner - The Green Lady © Nicholas Roemmelt

Winning images of the other categories and special prizes include the breath-taking Aurora Borealis above Hamn i Senja, Skaland, in Norway by Nicholas Roemmelt (Germany); the image taken by Łukasz Sujka (Poland) showcases the alignment of our moon and Jupiter, framed by three of Jupiter’s moons; a remarkable illustration of ‘The Prison of Technology’, the satellite trails between earth and the Albireo double star, which photographer Rafael Schmall (Hungary) managed to capture; and Best Newcomer Bence Toth’s stunning image of the central region of the California Nebula. 

Planets, Comets and Asteroids Winner - Space Between Us... © Łukasz Sujka

People and Space Winner - The Prison of Technology © Rafael Schmall

Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer Winner - Waves © Bence Toth

The captivating Dark River by Julie F. Hill (UK) has been named as the inaugural winner of the 'Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation' while 10-year-old Alice Fock Hang (Réunion) takes home the top prize in the 'Young Competition' category for her incredible image 'The Four Planets and the Moon', showing our moon, Venus, Mercury, the star Antares, Jupiter and Saturn over the Indian Ocean. 

Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation Winner - Dark River (detail) © Julie Hill 
 

Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year is run by Royal Observatory Greenwich in association with Insight Investment and BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Now in its twelfth year, the competition received over 5,000 entries from six continents. The best of these exceptional photographs - winners, runners-up, highly commended and shortlisted – are showcased in the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, opening to the public from 23 October 2020 with tickets on sale from 14 September 2020.

Young Competition Winner - The Four Planets and the Moon © Alice Fock Hang

For more information, visit the competition website. To see last year's winners have a read of these features: Stunning Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2019 Winning Images Announced & Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2019 'People's Choice' Revealed.