The Golden Ring by Shuchang Dong (China)

On June 21, 2020, an annular solar eclipse occurred, and Dong traveled to Ali in Tibet to capture it, drawn by the region's typically clear skies. However, dark clouds obscured the sun during the event. Just as the annular eclipse reached its peak, the clouds parted for a fleeting moment, allowing Dong to seize the spectacular sight before the sun vanished behind the clouds once again.

The Sun and the Comet by Vincent Bouchama (France)

Bouchama's composition showcases the complete experience of a total solar eclipse, highlighting earthshine, prominences, Baily's Beads, the chromosphere, and the corona. A notable feature is the appearance of the comet C/2020 X3 (SOHO), which was discovered just a day prior.

The Hydrogen Curtain by Alan Friedman (USA)

Friedman's image captures a hydrogen-alpha view of the sun, revealing a magnificent prominence that lingered at the sun's edge for several days. Here, "good seeing conditions" refers to the stability of the Earth's atmosphere, essential for observing fine details clearly.

A Cosmic Smiley by Nicolas Rolland (France) and Martin Pugh (Australia)

This photograph features NGC 1055, an edge-on spiral galaxy with a distinct nuclear bulge, marked by a dark band of gas and dust. It is a binary system with the larger Messier 77 galaxy. The bright stars encircling NGC 1055, set against the backdrop of the Milky Way, resemble the eyes of a cosmic smiley face.

Nebulae of the Triangulum Galaxy by Russell Croman (USA)

Croman's unique portrayal of the spiral galaxy Messier 33, or the Triangulum Galaxy, reveals vast gas clouds illuminated by newborn stars. These nebulae outline the galaxy's spiral arms, becoming denser toward the center due to the accumulation of gas.

The Milky Way's Ring by Zhong Wu (China)

Wu's panoramic image highlights the cosmic dust, stars, and nebulae forming a magnificent ring along the Milky Way's plane. This striking view showcases the entire galaxy as seen from Earth, with the bright planet Jupiter positioned above the galactic center's bulge and the red giant star Antares to its left. The ring also encompasses the Magellanic Clouds, two notable galaxies in the southern hemisphere.

Martian Majesty: Perseverance by Damian Peach (UK)

Peach's portrayal of Mars captures the spectacular Valles Marineris canyon system, flanked by the towering Tharsis Montes volcanoes. The 'Eye of Mars' (Solis Lacus) is visible, along with the icy south polar cap, showcasing the red planet's striking features.

A Quadrantid Meteor's Dance by Frank Kuszaj (USA)

After setting up for a shot of the Leo Triplet galaxies, Kuszaj and his friends were astounded to witness a bright green meteor streak across the sky. Initially doubting whether his camera had captured it, Kuszaj was thrilled to find the meteor perfectly framed in the shot, a happy accident indeed.

California Dreamin': NGC 1499 by Terry Hancock (UK)

Hancock's image of the California Nebula (NGC 1499) was taken over seven nights in 2021. This emission nebula, resembling the outline of California, is situated about 1,000 light years away from Earth and spans approximately 100 light years.

Colorful Layers of Cygnus Loop by Min Xie (USA)

Xie's image of the Cygnus Loop reveals intricate layers and structures, using a variety of colors to enhance the detail and create a captivating three-dimensional effect.

Clouds of IC 2944 by Bogdan Borz (Romania)

Borz's depiction of the Running Chicken Nebula, located in the Centaurus constellation, emphasizes the starless clouds and their various shapes and colors, captured with a robotic telescope.

Moonrise Over a Lake by Thomas Kast (Finland)

Kast’s photograph showcases the moon rising above a serene lake, illuminated by a vibrant aurora. The calm atmosphere and fog on the lake created a magical ambiance as the aurora danced in the night sky.

The Goðafoss Flow by Larryn Rae (New Zealand)

Rae’s stunning image of the Goðafoss waterfall under the night sky captures the ethereal beauty of the winter aurora. The full moon's glow illuminated the scene, blending beautifully with the semi-frozen waterfall and the auroral lights above.

Stunning Nebulae by Hassaana Begam and Aathilah Maryam (India)

This captivating image features three blue reflection nebulae, known as NGC 6914, located in the heart of the Cygnus constellation approximately 6,000 light years away.

Jupiter's Cloud Patterns by Sergio Díaz Ruiz (Spain)

Ruiz captures the mesmerizing patterns formed by high clouds on Jupiter, showcasing the planet's dynamic beauty.

Lunar Perspectives by Nicolas Lefaudeux (France)

Lefaudeux's photograph offers a unique view reminiscent of the Apollo missions, featuring Venus rising above the lunar horizon. This remarkable shot captures the gleaming crescent of Venus as it approaches an occultation by the Moon.

Lunar Halo by Göran Strand (Sweden)

Strand's image reveals a stunning 22° lunar halo, created by ice crystals in the air during a cold night. The nearly full moon illuminated the scene, with the city lights of Östersund visible in the background.

For more incredible photographs and insights, visit the Royal Observatory's Astronomy Photographer of the Year Awards 2021.