The 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award has announced its winners, showcasing stunning images of the night sky. This year, over 5,800 entries poured in from across the globe, and the results were revealed during a special livestreamed ceremony on September 11.
The overall winner is a breathtaking shot of the Andromeda Galaxy taken by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, and Chuhong Yu. This impressive image will be displayed at the National Maritime Museum in the U.K. It took 39 hours of exposure to capture this detailed view of our closest galactic neighbor. László Francsics, an astrophotographer and judge, noted that this image adds fresh depth to previous images of Andromeda, showcasing a dynamic composition with never-before-seen detail.
Dr. Ed Bloomer, from the Royal Observatory, described this year’s entries as particularly thought-provoking, encouraging viewers to consider how the photographs were achieved.
Among the category winners is Kavan Chay, whose image of vibrant auroras dancing in the skies over New Zealand took home the award for the Auroras category. This stunning display occurred during a G5 geomagnetic storm, highlighting how powerful natural phenomena can be captured with the right timing and skill.
In the “Our Moon” category, Marcella Giulia Pace presented a captivating image of moonlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere above Sicily. This showcases how atmospheric conditions can create an array of colors in our night sky.
James Sinclair’s capture of the sun’s chromosphere gives us a peek into the sun’s dynamic atmosphere. The swirls of red and orange capture the chaotic beauty of our star’s surface, demonstrating the intricacies of solar activity.
Tom Williams’ photo of the International Space Station passing near the moon highlights how modern technology allows us to document and appreciate the interconnectedness of space travel and celestial bodies.
The image of Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks by Dan Bartlett impressively captures the comet’s long tails as it travels through the cosmos. This showcases the beauty and transient nature of comets across the night sky.
For the “Best Newcomer” award, Yurui Gong and Xizhen Ruan’s shot of a Perseid meteor streaking across the sky next to the Andromeda Galaxy vividly illustrates the wonders of meteor showers and their timing with celestial events.
Finally, the “Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year” award went to Daniele Borsari, whose monochrome image of the Horsehead and Orion nebulas reveals the intricate patterns of stellar formations.
The beauty and diversity of astrophotography continue to inspire and amaze audiences worldwide. This year’s competition reminds us that space holds endless mysteries just waiting to be captured.
For more insights and information on photography techniques in astronomy, you can check out articles on platforms like Space.com.
