Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition

Essential Information

Type	Exhibitions
Location	National Maritime Museum
Date and Times	Open daily until 11 August 2025 \| 10am-5pm
Prices	Free

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Glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns and silver moons – wherever you are in the universe, don't miss Astronomy Photographer of the Year 16.

Astronomy Photographer of the Year is an annual competition featuring the world’s greatest space photography. Photographers from across the globe compete to take home the prestigious title.

Now it's your chance to see their spellbinding work.

Over 100 photographs are on show at the National Maritime Museum, displayed at their best on brilliant lightbox screens. The exhibition is free for all visitors to the Museum.

Visit Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and see the world's greatest space photography.

Plan your visit to the National Maritime Museum

“Every year, I leave this exhibition feeling insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Londonist

And the winner is...

A sequence of telescope images stacked together to show the progression of a solar eclipse. A black semi-circle is visible on the left, with bands of yellow marking the changing amount of light as the Moon passes in front of the Sun

Photographer Ryan Imperio from the United States has been named the overall winner of Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024.

His work, Distorted Shadows of the Moon's Surface Created by an Annular Eclipse, was captured in Texas during the annular solar eclipse of 14 October.

The image is a composite of more than 30 separate photographs of the Sun. The sequence captures the fleeting optical illusion known as 'Baily's beads', which occurs when sunlight shines through the valleys and craters of the Moon.

“What an innovative way to map the Moon’s topography at the point of third contact during an annular solar eclipse," competition judge Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn said. "This is an impressive dissection of the fleeting few seconds during the visibility of the Baily’s beads. This image left me captivated and amazed. It’s exceptional work deserving of high recognition. Congratulations!”

Inside the exhibition

Discover the stories behind some of this year's spectacular entries.

Beads of sunlight: photographing an annular solar eclipse

Ryan Imperio's spellbinding image of our Sun earned him the top prize in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024

A stellar duo: two young astrophotographers shooting for the stars

Meet the youngest entrants in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024: brothers Benjamin and Joshua Lawler

Anatomy of a habitable planet: Earth as you've never seen it before

Sergio Díaz Ruiz uses satellite imagery to explore climate change by creating an image of Earth as it might be analysed by a distant alien civilisation

Finding community through astrophotography

Sophie Paulin and Tom Williams struck up a friendship in an online astrophotography forum. Discover how they combined their expertise to win a prize in Astronomy Photographer of the Year

'Out with the camera, my senses are heightened' – behind the lens with Paul Haworth

Discover the vibrant nocturnal world of East Anglian astrophotographer Paul Haworth, shortlisted in 2024's Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition

Plan your visit

How to book

Astronomy Photographer of the Year is free to visit until July 2025 while essential roof maintenance is taking place in the National Maritime Museum.

You are still welcome to book free Museum tickets in advance to guarantee entry and receive updates before your visit.

Visiting the National Maritime Museum

Astronomy Photographer of the Year is located in a dedicated Photography Gallery inside the National Maritime Museum. Download a floor plan here.

The Museum is a short walk from the centre of Greenwich, with regular DLR, rail, bus and river services available.

Plan your visit to the National Maritime Museum

Getting here

Buy prints from the exhibition

From high quality prints to space and stargazing guides, visit our online shop to take home a piece of space history.

Shop the collection

Buy prints

Learn more about space and astronomy

The Royal Observatory is the historic centre of UK astronomy and home to London's only Planetarium.

The Observatory is just a short walk from Astronomy Photographer of the Year at the National Maritime Museum, so why not make the most of your day out in Greenwich and visit both places together? Find out more.

And if you've been inspired by any of the photos in this exhibition, don't miss the chance to expand your knowledge with one of the Royal Observatory's dedicated astronomy courses. There are courses to suit every level, from fascinating introductory courses to advanced astrophysics and astrophotography courses. Find out more

Enter the competition

Every year, photographers from across the globe compete to be part of the final exhibition and take home the prestigious title.

Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit up to 10 images to the competition.

There are separate photography prizes open to adults, young photographers and astrophotography newcomers.

All entrants have a chance of winning cash prizes, seeing their image displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, a year’s subscription to BBC Sky at Night magazine, and a copy of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year publication.

How to enter