The Royal Observatory Greenwich has unveiled the 29 finalists for the 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, highlighting exceptional work from amateur and professional photographers worldwide. Selected from nearly 4,000 submissions across 66 countries, the shortlist showcases a diverse range of celestial imagery, from deep-sky nebulae to planetary landscapes and time-lapse sequences.

This year’s competition continues to grow as a premier platform for visual creators passionate about space and night-sky photography. With entries spanning six continents, the global reach underscores the increasing accessibility of advanced astrophotography tools and techniques. Finalists now proceed to the judging stage, where winners will be announced in categories including Skyscapes, Aurorae, People and Space, and more.

For content creators, the competition offers significant exposure, with winning and shortlisted images featured in exhibitions, publications, and international media outlets. Participation also provides valuable benchmarking against peers and inspiration for refining technical and artistic approaches to astronomical imaging. The Royal Observatory Greenwich emphasizes the event’s role in promoting science communication through visual storytelling.

Aspiring entrants can use this year’s shortlist as a reference for composition, post-processing, and subject selection. The competition remains open to all skill levels, encouraging creators to push the boundaries of what’s possible with consumer and professional-grade equipment. Updates on the winners and exhibition details will be released in the coming months via the Observatory’s official channels.