Astronomy POTY winners revealed

FRENCH photographer Nicolas Lefaudeux has been named the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2020, winning £10,000 alongside the prestigious title. His winning image (below) was taken in France and shows a version of the Andromeda Galaxy. ‘To most of us, our closest neighbouring galaxy Andromeda can also feel so distanced and out of reach,’ said competition judge Ed Robinson. ‘Yet to create a photograph that gives us the impression that it is just within our physical reach is truly magical, and somewhat appropriate as we adjust after such socially distanced times.’

‘The global situation made judging and shortlisting extremely challenging this year, particularly with judges spread across different countries,’ said another judge Dr Emily Drabek-Maunder, Astronomer at Royal Museums Greenwich. ‘However, the photographs have exceeded our expectations and the innovation demonstrated by the entrants has been phenomenal.’ Young photographers really stood out in this year’s competition, with ten-year-old Alice Fock Hang (Réunion) taking home the category prize with The Four Planets and the Moon.

Now in its 12th year, this year’s competition received over 5,000 entries from six continents. Winners, runners-up, highly commended and shortlisted images will be showcased in the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, opening to the public from 23 October with tickets on sale now. The competition’s of cial book is in bookstores and available at Royal Museums Greenwich shops and online. Find out more about the winners and the planned activities around the contest at bit.ly/astropotywinners.