More than 3,500 entries from 58 countries were sent in this year to the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, which meant that the panel of expert judges had quite a task creating a shortlist.
Among the 30 extraordinary images that they selected is an image of an aurora in the shape of a dragon, taken during a geomagnetic storm at the Arctic Henge, Iceland; an abandoned house below the Milky Way in the middle of the Namib Desert; the Milky Way above the Roques de García in the Las Cañadas caldera, Tenerife; and a 62-second-long solar eclipse captured in Western Australia. Below are some of our favourites.
Both category and overall winners will be announced on September 12, with an exhibition of winners and shortlisted images opening at the National Maritime Museum, London SE10, on September 14 (currently, there is a show of last year’s competition, closing on August 27).
An accompanying book, Astronomy Photographer of the Year, Collection 13, will be published alongside the new exhibition (Collins, £30).
Iridescence: The greatest special effect in Nature
A lustrous play of colour alchemy, natural iridescence can intrigue, camouflage and incite desire. Laura Parker immerses herself in one
Credit: Michael Godek via Getty Images
A pheasant at Charing Cross Hospital and a woodcock at St Pancras: London's rarest birds revealed
The latest London Bird Report has some interesting findings.
Credit: Jonathan Wilson/iStock via Getty Images
The truth about rewilding, by seven of Britain's most influential farmers, landowners and conservationists
Although the term 'rewilding' is contentious, most agree that our countryside could be better managed for wildlife. Yet what should
Curious Questions: When does summer actually start?
You'd think it would be simple. It's anything but, as Martin Fone discovers.
-
A country house that's 'the finest-looking estate between the Humber and the Tweed' (at least according to Queen Victoria)Burn Hall is a treasure-trove of architectural features, from its sweeping staircase to its grand snooker room.
-
Liverpool and literature: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 18, 2025Which river runs through Liverpool and how much do you remember from the 'Harry Potter' book series?
