Deadline:
March 03, 2025
Location(s)
Online
Overview
Astronomy Photographer of the Year showcases the world's best space photography, from spectacular skyscapes to mind-blowing images of distant planets and galaxies.
Every year, photographers from across the globe compete to be part of the final exhibition and take home the prestigious title.
Entries to Astronomy Photographer of the Year 17 open on Monday 6 January 2025. Read on to find everything you need to submit your images.
Details
- Competition opening date: 6 January 2025
- Competition closing date: 12pm GMT (midday) 3 March 2025
Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit up to 10 images to the competition.
There are separate photography prizes open to adults, young photographers and astrophotography newcomers. A full list of competition categories is below.
All entrants have a chance of winning cash prizes, seeing their image displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum and a year’s subscription to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
How to enter
- Enter via our online entry site here
- If you are new to the competition, you’ll need to register and set up a competition account
- You may submit a total of 10 images to be considered
- There will be a £10 fee per entrant. Entrants to the Young Competition and special prizes are exempt.
Adult competition categories
- Aurorae: Photographs featuring the northern and southern lights (Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis)
- Galaxies: Photographs of deep-space objects beyond the Milky Way galaxy, including galaxies, galaxy clusters and stellar associations
- Our Moon: Photographs of the Moon, including lunar eclipses and the occultation of stars and planets. Images of the Moon alongside earthly scenery may also be entered into this category, or into Skyscapes
- Our Sun: Photographs of the Sun, including solar eclipses and transits. Images of the Sun alongside earthly scenery may also be entered into this category, or into Skyscapes
- People and Space: Photographs of the night sky that include people or elements that show the presence or influence of human beings
- Planets, Comets and Asteroids: Photographs of objects in our solar system, including planets and their satellites, comets, asteroids and other forms of zodiacal debris. Images of the Moon, Sun and Earth should not be entered into this category
- Skyscapes: Photographs of landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes in which the night sky or twilight sky is a prominent feature. Star trails and images of noctilucent and nacreous clouds, halos, meteors and other upper atmospheric phenomena may also be entered into this category
- Stars and Nebulae: Photographs of deep-space objects in the Milky Way galaxy, including stars, star clusters, supernova remnants, nebulae and other astro-photographic targets within the Milky Way galaxy.
Young competition
There are no separate categories in the Young competition. The Young competition will have one winner, one runner-up and three highly commended awards.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
- The Adult competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over, and the Young competition is open to anyone under 16.
- You may submit a total of 10 images.
Dates
Deadline: March 03, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Prizes
Adult competition
There are eight different categories for adult photographers to enter. The judges will select a winner, runner-up and one highly commended entry from each category. These will receive the following prize money:
- Winner: £1500
- Runner-up: £500
- Highly commended: £250
Young competition
The judges will select a winner, runner-up and three highly commended images in the Young Competition.
- Young Winner: £1500 and a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ MD telescope
- Young Runner-up: £500
- Young Highly Commended: £250
Special Prizes
The judges will also award two Special Prizes: the Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer and the Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation. Both winners will receive £750.
Overall winner
The overall winner is chosen from amongst all the Adult competition category winners. This winner receives £10,000 and the title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year.
Additional information
All winners will also receive:
- Their winning image displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
- One year’s subscription to BBC Sky at Night magazine
- A copy of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year publication.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
