Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024

Astronomy Photographer of the Year showcases the world’s best space photography, from spectacular skyscapes to mind-blowing images of distant planets and galaxies.

Every year, photographers from across the globe compete to be part of the final exhibition and take home the prestigious title.

Entry to the 2024 competition will open on 4 January 2024. Find out more about the competition, rules and prizes below, and get ready to submit your entries here.

Competition opening date: 4 January 2024

Competition closing date: 12pm GMT (midday) 5 March 2024

Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit up to 10 images to the competition.

There are separate photography prizes open to adults, young photographers and astrophotography newcomers. A full list of competition categories is below.

All entrants have a chance of winning cash prizes, seeing their image displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, a year’s subscription to BBC Sky at Night magazine, and a copy of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year publication. 

Explore spectacular winning images from previous competitions and our latest exhibition at the National Maritime Museum to see examples of award-winning astrophotography images. 

There are eight different categories for adult photographers (adult entrants must be aged 16 or over):

• Aurorae
• Galaxies
• Our Moon
• Our Sun 
• People and Space
• Planets, Comets and Asteroids 
• Skyscapes
• Stars and Nebulae

There are no separate categories in the Young competition (young entrants must be aged 15 or under). Entries may feature any astronomical subject.

Entry fee
The entry fee is £10 for adults.
Entry is free to the Young competition.

Prizes

• Adult competition

The overall winner is chosen from amongst all the Adult competition category winners. This winner receives £10,000 and the title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year.

The judges will select a winner, runner-up and one highly commended entry from each category.

· Winner: £1,500
· Runner-up: £500
· Highly commended: £250

• Young Competition

· Winner: £1,500 
· Runner-Up: £500
· Highly Commended: £250

Special Prizes
The judges will also award two Special Prizes: the Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer and the Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation. Both winners will receive £750.

Website link: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/astronomy-photographer-year/competition