The shortlist for the 2016 edition of the Insight Astronomy Photographer of The Year has been released, and the finalists have produced some truly breathtaking images.

The competition, which is now in its eighth year, is run by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, UK, and the winners will be announced on September 15, 2016. There are eight competition categories, depending on the astronomical subject photographed, and there will be special awards for young astronomy photographer, best newcomer, and an overall winner.

“Astronomy has always been a really international discipline and photography is a really popular hobby all around the world,” said Dr Marek Kukula, the Royal Observatory’s public astronomer, in an announcement video. “So I think you put those two things together, and it’s a way of bringing people from all around the world together and showing that we all have this common interest and excitement in the night sky,”

Dr. Kukula is part of the judging panel alongside Turner Prize-winning artist Wolfgang Tillmans, Oana Sandu of the European Southern Observatory, and a host of experts in either photography, astronomy, or both.

You can see some of the finalists below.

^{Rune Engebø/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum}

Seven Magic Points by Rune Engebø (Norway).

An outstanding green aurora shines in the sky over the iron sculpture Seven Magic Points in Brattebergan, Norway.

 

^{Nicholas Roemmelt/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum}

Painted Hills by Nicholas Roemmelt (Germany) 

A stunning image combining the famous Painted Hills of Oregon and the center of the Milky Way.
 

^{Michael Jäeger/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum}

The Disconnection Event by Michael Jäeger (Austria)

This photograph shows Comet Lovejoy on January 21, 2015, just after its closest approach to Earth.
 

^{Sean Goebel/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum}

Parallel Mountains by Sean Goebel (USA)

In this image, the rising Sun casts a shadow of Manua Kea over Hualalai, creating a peculiar optical effect.
 

^{Leonardo Orazi/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum}

M82: Starburst Galaxy with a Superwind by Leonardo Orazi (Italy)

M82 is a highly star-forming galaxy 12 million light-years from Earth. There are so many new stars that the light is creating a strong gaseous wind, shown in glowing red in this image.