Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Collection 1 - Tapa dura

This collection of beautiful images of space taken by photographers from all over the world comprises images from the first four years of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, which is organized by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in association with Sky at Night Magazine, and powered by the photo-sharing website Flickr.

From giant storm systems in Jupiter’s atmosphere to the colourful wispy remnants of a supernova explosion and the dazzling green curtain of the Northern Lights, the competition brings together some of the last four years’ best space imagery of astronomical objects from within our solar system and far into deep space by astrophotographers from around the world.

All winning, runner-up and highly commended entries from all four years of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition are included, as well as all shortlisted images from the 2012 competition.

The images are submitted in one of the following categories:
· Earth and Space
· Our Solar System
· Deep Space
· Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year

And can also be entered for one of the special prizes:
· Best Newcomer
· People and Space
· Robotic Scope

Each image is accompanied by caption, photographer, location and technical details.

More information about the competition and a short guide to taking astronomy photographs is included.

Exhibition
Every year the Royal Observatory, Greenwich hosts a free exhibition of the winners of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing some incredible images of the sky. www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World, making it the official starting point for each new day and year. It is also home to London's only planetarium, the Harrison timekeepers and the UK's largest refracting telescope. It runs the annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition.