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Overall win and title Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 American photographer Ryan Imperio came up with his photo “Distorted shadow of the moon’s surface created by an annular eclipse”. The photo was taken in Odessa, in the US state of Texas, on October 14, 2023. It debuted in the category “Our Sun”.
The phenomenon behind the recording is also called the string of pearls phenomenon. It occurs during a total solar eclipse. The so-called Baily pearls, which are actually bright points of light, are formed when sunlight shines through the valleys and craters of the moon’s surface and breaks up the familiar ring pattern of the eclipse. They are only visible when the moon enters or exits the eclipse. Recording them is challenging because of their brevity and the precise timing required.
Computer games: EU consumer advocates complain about manipulation and fraudSpeaking about being chosen as the winner of this year’s competition, the photographer said: “The images that are selected each year are absolutely amazing and I feel thrilled and honoured to have my photograph included. I was hoping that my image would be something intelligently shared, but I never expected to be chosen as the winner, let alone overall!”
The competition is organized every year Royal Observatory Greenwich in collaboration with BBC Sky at Night Magazine. For the 2024 edition, the 16th overall, more than 3,500 images were submitted from 58 countries. As with last year, it was very popular.
More winners
In addition to the overall winner, winners were also recognised in ten other categories such as our Moon, skyscrapers and galaxies. 14-year-old Italian Daniele Borsari managed to take home the youth prize. His image “NGC 1499, A Dusty California” shows the California Nebula from the Perseus constellation.
Xin Feng and Miao Gong produced another striking photograph with the shot “SH2-308: Dolphin Head Nebula” and won the Sir Patrick Moore Award for Best Newcomer. The blue structure you see is the so-called Dolphin Head Nebula.
The jury members were enthralled with the creative diversity of the works submitted, including Dr. Ed Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and Victoria Lane, senior curator. She adds, “I was particularly impressed by the creativity and innovative approach of the entries for our Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation, which emphasizes the art rather than the science of space travel.”
From September 13, 2024, the images will also be displayed at the National Maritime Museum London and can be viewed there.
You can find an overview of all the winning images in our photo gallery:
Overall winner and winner of the category “Our Sun” by Ryan Imperio (USA)
Shooting data: Nikon D810 camera, iOptron Skyguider Pro mount, Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens, 600mm f/8, ISO 640, multiple 1/1,000-second exposures
(Image: Distorted shadow of the Moon’s surface created by an annular eclipse © Ryan Imperio
Ryan Imperio)
(TLZ)
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