The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition showcases the world's best space photography, from spectacular skyscapes to mind-blowing images of distant planets and galaxies.
Every year, photographers from around the globe compete to be part of the final exhibition, claim the prestigious title and win cash prizes, with the winner taking home £10,000.
There are separate categories open to adults, young photographers and astrophotography newcomers. A full list of competition categories is below.
Entries to ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 18 will be open from 5 January 2026 until 12pm GMT 2 March 2026.
To keep up to date with the 2026 competition and get more astronomy news and updates from the Royal Observatory, sign up to our space newsletter.
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The 2026 competition
Competition opening date: 5 January 2026
Competition closing date: 12pm GMT (midday) 2 March 2026
Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit up to 10 images to the competition.
All entrants have a chance of winning cash prizes and a year’s subscription to BBC Sky at Night Magazine, plus the opportunity to see their image displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum.
Explore spectacular winning images from previous competitions and our latest exhibition at the National Maritime Museum to see examples of award-winning astrophotography images.
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Prizes
Overall winner
The overall winner is chosen from amongst all the Adult competition category winners. This winner receives £10,000 and the title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year.
Adult competition
The judges will select a winner, runner-up and one highly commended entry from each of the eight Adult competition categories.
- Winner: £1,500
- Runner-up: £500
- Highly Commended: £250
Young competition
The judges will select a winner, runner-up and three highly commended images in the Young competition.
- Young Winner: £1,500
- Young Runner-up: £500
- Young Highly Commended: £250
Special prizes
The judges will also award two special prizes: the Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer and the Annie Maunder Open Category. Both winners will receive £750.
Additional information
All winners will also receive a one-year subscription to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and all shortlisted entrants will win a copy of the catalogue publication.
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Aurorae
Photographs featuring the northern and southern lights (Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis)
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Galaxies
Photographs of deep-space objects beyond the Milky Way galaxy, including galaxies, galaxy clusters and stellar associations
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Our Moon
Photographs of the Moon, including lunar eclipses and the occultation of stars and planets. Images of the Moon alongside earthly scenery may also be entered into this category, or into Skyscapes.
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Our Sun
Photographs of the Sun, including solar eclipses and transits. Images of the Sun alongside earthly scenery may also be entered into this category, or into Skyscapes
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People and Space
Photographs of the night sky that include people or elements that show the presence or influence of human beings
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Planets, Comets and Asteroids
Photographs of objects in our solar system, including planets and their satellites, comets, asteroids and other forms of zodiacal debris. Images of the Moon, Sun and Earth should not be entered into this category.
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Skyscapes
Photographs of landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes in which the night sky or twilight sky is a prominent feature. Star trails and images of noctilucent and nacreous clouds, halos, meteors and other upper atmospheric phenomena may also be entered into this category
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Stars and Nebulae
Photographs of deep-space objects in the Milky Way galaxy, including stars, star clusters, supernova remnants, nebulae and other astro-photographic targets within the Milky Way galaxy.
Young competition
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Open to entrants aged 15 or under
There are no separate categories in the Young competition. The Young competition will have one winner, one runner-up and three highly commended awards.
Special prizes
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The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer
For newcomers who have only been practising astronomy photography since January 2025, are aged 16 or over, and have not entered the competition before. Any astronomical subject may be depicted.
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The Annie Maunder Open Category
Rewards innovative approaches to astronomy art. Find more information about this category here.
How to enter
- All images can be submitted online via the dedicated competition website.
- The Adult competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over, and the Young competition is open to anyone aged 15 and under.
- You may submit up to 10 images.
- There is a £10 fee per entrant for the Adult competition. Entry to the Young competition and special prizes is free.
- The full competition rules are available here. We recommend reading them carefully before submitting your images.
- The competition closes promptly at 12pm GMT on 2 March 2026. We advise submitting your images with plenty of time before the closing date in case of any technical issues.
If you have any questions, please email astrophotocomp@rmg.co.uk.
See last year's winners
See the winning images from Astronomy Photographer of the Year 17
2025 overall winners
The winning images in the world's biggest space photography competition have been revealed
Galaxies
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Galaxies category
Skyscapes
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Skyscapes category
Our Sun
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Our Sun category
Our Moon
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Our Moon category
Aurorae
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Aurorae category
Planets, Comets and Asteroids
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Planets, Comets and Asteroids category
People and Space
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 People and Space category
Stars and Nebulae
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Stars and Nebulae category
Best Newcomer
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Best Newcomer category
Young competition
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Young Competition
The Annie Maunder Open Category
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 Annie Maunder Open Category
Our partners
Main image: Transport the Soul © Brad Goldpaint, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2018 winner