Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition reveals winning images

The Royal Observatory in London announced the winners of its 2026 Astrophotography Competition on Tuesday, awarding top prizes to a series of striking images that capture nebulae, distant stars, the Moon and other celestial phenomena. The competition, now in its twelfth year, received more than 1,200 submissions from amateur and professional photographers worldwide, with entries judged on technical merit, originality and artistic impact.

A panel of astronomers and imaging experts selected a deep‑field photograph of the Orion Nebula as the overall winner, while a high‑resolution lunar portrait and a panoramic view of the Milky Way earned first place in their respective categories. Winners will receive cash awards, equipment grants and a featured exhibition at the Observatory’s public gallery, underscoring the event’s role in promoting public engagement with astronomy and the art of capturing the night sky.