Astronomy photographer of the year 2012
![A view from the Uludag National Park in Turkey.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/41/757356183b2db60a38f4045f23e9b/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "A view from the Uludag National Park in Turkey. (Tunç Tezel (Turkey))")
![The Aurora Borealis in all its glory over Høgtuva Mountain in Norway]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/cc/60a3d9f15e39ddeb92439fc1ec3a6/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "The Aurora Borealis in all its glory over Høgtuva Mountain in Norway (Tommy Eliassen (Norway))")
![A multi-image mosaic of the Moon]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/9b/fe80e266d0ca31f0a047c2d87bf369/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "A multi-image mosaic of the Moon (David Campbell (UK))")
![A well-timed photograph sees a jet and its vapour trails showing the disc of the Sun. The photograph also shows a sunspot on the surface of the Sun]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/11/4427fdee1dc5cc83c3683c8135c/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "A well-timed photograph sees a jet and its vapour trails showing the disc of the Sun. The photograph also shows a sunspot on the surface of the Sun (Dunja Zupanic (Croatia))")
![This mosaic image reveals a huge swathe of the sky in the constellation of Cygnus]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/a1/9dd1c97f87803f7b74c0625d28cd/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "This mosaic image reveals a huge swathe of the sky in the constellation of Cygnus (J-P Metsävainio (Finland))")
![This picture shows the column of dust known as the 'Elephant's Trunk' in the constellation of Cepheus]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/d7/bd67ff11a02e2a54c0dd4e6a58ddbc/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "This picture shows the column of dust known as the 'Elephant's Trunk' in the constellation of Cepheus (Bill Snyder (USA))")
![This is a self-portrait of the photographer (far right) with her friends at her caravan site in the Gower Peninsular, Wales]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/93/141269150215ede265c5519fe5cd5/_h353_w628_m6_ofalse_lfalse.jpg"}} "This is a self-portrait of the photographer (far right) with her friends at her caravan site in the Gower Peninsular, Wales (Jessica Caterson, 15, (UK))")
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has released some of the images shortlisted for the 2012 Astronomy photographer of the year competition
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has released some of the images shortlisted for the 2012 Astronomy photographer of the year competition See gallery
Double Arch with a Perseid Meteor and the Milky Way
This photograph was taken in the Arches National Park, Utah, during the annual Perseid meteor shower. The photographer has used an artificial light source to illuminate and emphasise the dramatic rock formations.
Sky away from the Lights
A view from the Uludag National Park in Turkey. The Milky Way stretches across the sky above the manmade pockets of hazy lights from the towns and villages below.
Sky Show
The Aurora Borealis in all its glory over Høgtuva Mountain in Norway.
116 megapixel Moon Mosaic
A multi-image mosaic of the Moon. Even a telescope of quite modest magnification will only show a part of the Moon's surface at one time, meaning that multi-image mosaics such as this are needed to show large areas of its surface.
Sunny Airlines
A well-timed photograph sees a jet and its vapour trails showing the disc of the Sun. The photograph also shows a sunspot on the surface of the Sun. Sunspot activity has been increasing in 2012 as the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle.
Cygnus
This mosaic image reveals a huge swathe of the sky in the constellation of Cygnus. Huge clouds of colourful glowing gas and lanes of dark dust stretch across the field of view. Their light is too faint to register with the human eye, but become visible thanks to long exposure times and special filters.
IC 1396 – Elephant-Trunk Nebula
This picture shows the column of dust known as the 'Elephant's Trunk' in the constellation of Cepheus. Deep within the dense clumps of dust and gas that make up the 'trunk' new stars are currently forming.
Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year - Stargazers
This is a self-portrait of the photographer (far right) with her friends at her caravan site in the Gower Peninsular, Wales.
