[imagesource:ontopofthedream©jeffgraphy/astronomyphotographeroftheyear]

The James Webb Space Telescope has been doing a fab job at keeping us awe-inspired and star-struck with its infrared eye on the sky.

But it’s pretty cool to see astronomy pros and hobbyists alike share some of their incredible shots of the pretty things up top in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards.

Run by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, with the helping hands of Liberty Specialty Markets and BBC Sky at Night Magazine, the 2023 shortlists have been announced, and we’re ever more enthralled.

This year, over 4 000 pros and hobbyists from all over the world – 64 countries, to be exact – entered the competition, so you can only imagine the brain-wracking umming and ahhing of the judges right now.

Per DIY Photography, the competition is judged by a panel of seasoned pros from the realms of art and astronomy. Celebrating its fifteenth year, the big reveal for the competition’s nine categories, two special prizes, and the overall winner will be on Thursday, September 14, to be exhibited at the National Maritime Museum in London.

Enjoy the magnificence that surrounds us:

Image: China Space Station Transits Active Sun © Letian Wang_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: C_2021 A1 (Leonard) in Sky of Israel © Alex SavenokAstronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Jellyfish Nebula © Peter Larkin_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Crescent Moon in a Magical Sunset © Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Dune © Burak Esenbey_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Emerald Roots © Lorenzo Ranieri Tenti_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Nebulae of the Small Magellanic Cloud © Jonathan Lodge_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Pandora’s Box © Derek Horlock_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: Solar Flare X1 from AR2994 in ‘Motion’ © Miguel ClaroAstronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: St Agnes © Derek Horlock_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Image: The Majestic Tarantula Nebula © Steeve Body_Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Just wow. All winners in my eyes.

[source:diyphotography]