GALAXIES

Andromeda Galaxy at Arm’s Length?

Nicolas Lefaudeux (France)

Photo location: Forges-les-Bains, Île-de-France, France, 2–3 September 2019

Equipment: Sky-Watcher Black Diamond 100mm apochromatic refractor telescope at f/9, iOptron iEQ30 mount, Sony ILCE-7S camera (modified), ISO 2000, 2 hours 30 minutes total exposure

Judge’s verdict: “To most of us, our closest neighbouring galaxy, Andromeda, can also feel so distant and out of reach. Yet to create a photograph that gives us the impression that it is just within our physical grasp is truly magical. It’s a masterful image of the Andromeda Galaxy with a fine consideration to colour, detail and composition that makes this photograph such a worthy overall winner. I also commend the technical commitment of the photographer to capture the authentic ‘tilt-shift focus’ effect by creating a bespoke 3D-printed mount between their camera sensor and telescope. This image has certainly been my favourite in this year’s competition and also one that gives me a big smile every time I view it.” – Ed Robinson