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Remarkable. Lively. Dazzling. The adjectives to describe our universe are infinite. And nowhere is this better visible than in this year’s images Astrophotography Photographer of the Year Award.
Australian photographer Phil Hart took top honors for his incredible photo (below) of the 2023 solar eclipse over Exmouth, Western Australia. Hart’s photo is one of the highest resolution (white light) images of the solar corona ever documented, and the detail is stunning. He created the image using multiple telescopes, video frames and RAW shots.
“This year’s competition featured some of the most impressive astrophotography we have ever seen,” said judge Dr. Tanya Hill. “Phil Hart’s image was a masterclass in technique, creativity and dedication, showing faint lunar details alongside the petal-like currents of the solar corona.”
Category winners:
Solar system
Hart’s detailed image of the solar eclipse over Exmouth took first place in this category, demonstrating his mastery in capturing the solar corona.
Rhemann’s image from Namibia highlighted the dynamic beauty of the comet’s tail as it traveled through space.
Hart’s close-up of the solar eclipse over Exmouth was captured using multiple telescopes, video frames and RAW footage, demonstrating his dedication to capturing the event in great detail.
Deep space
Sainty’s striking image of this rarely photographed supernova remnant, with its dense Hα and OIII filaments and dust clouds, earned him first place in the Deep Space category.
Sainty’s second recognized image, a wide-angle mosaic capturing emission, reflection and dark nebulae, impressed the judges for the contrast of cosmic structures.
Morefield’s image of NGC 3981 reveals a galaxy seemingly breaking apart, trailing its spiral arms as its structure disappears.
Astro landscape
Chay’s magical shot of the Milky Way above a volcanic snowfield won because of the perfect harmony between earth and sky.
Casswell’s innovative use of UV light highlighted the rock formations and the Milky Way in an impressive mix of engineering and creativity.
Hudson’s panoramic composition captured the beauty of an aurora caused by a solar flare, blending landscape and night sky into a stunning image.
Remote imaging
When Shapiro was just 16 years old, his remote images revealed a newly discovered cosmic feature, showing the emissions from the Wolf-Rayet star WR134 in breathtaking detail.
Carpenter’s precise image of the Cocoon Nebula’s comet-like tail against a background of hydrogen alpha secured him second place in this category.
Walter’s image of NGC 3521, a flaky spiral galaxy, impressed the judges with its soft, woolly appearance.