Space and Physics
PUBLISHED
Since 2009, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the UK has awarded the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year award. The categories and sponsors have changed, but the commitment of astrophotographers is constant across its 18 editions. Every year, they share wonderful new views of the cosmos with the world.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.For each of the nine main categories and two special prizes, there are three awardees: a winner, a runner-up, and a highly commended prize. There will also be an overall winner who takes home a £10,000 prize (around $13,500). The winner will be announced on September 17, 2026.
Since last year, the special prizes have included the Annie Maunder Open Category. Entrants to this category can be more artistic and creative, showcasing more of what is possible with astronomy images.
"We are honoured to support the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition – a celebration of those who turn their eyes to the night sky and share its beauty with the world," Sam Wen, founder and CEO of camera company ZWO, said in a press statement seen by IFLScience.
"At ZWO, we believe astrophotography is not only a means of recording the cosmos, but also a way to inspire curiosity, nurture learning and bring people together through a shared sense of wonder."
Here are some of our favorite photos in the 54-strong shortlist.
 © Ani Shastry.jpg "Gum 37 is an HII complex in the southern sky, where stellar radiation carves pillars, rims and curling shock fronts. It is commonly called the Southern Tadpoles Nebula, but Ani Shastry suggests it resembles a cosmic teapot.")
 Over the Swiss Alps © Jakob Sahner.jpg "This photograph shows Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) with its wispy tail over the Swiss Alps, a perfect foreground for the comet.")
