The Royal Observatory has culled through over 800 entries from astronomers and astro-photographers around the world to release its compilation of the best astronomy photos so far this year. Astronomy Photographer of the Year is run by the Royal Observatory Greenwich and Sky at Night Magazine. This year's competition drew a record number of entries with a wide array of subjects captured by amateur and professional photographers from around the globe.
The aurora borealis traces the shifting patterns of the Earth's magnetic field, creating a spectacular midwinter show in Nordland Fylke, Norway. The green light in this image comes from oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere, which have been energized by subatomic particles from the solar wind.
The Royal Observatory has culled through over 800 entries from astronomers and astro-photographers around the world to release its compilation of the best astronomy photos of the year. The contest is run by Royal Observatory Greenwich and Sky at Night Magazine.
Should you have plans to be in London, an exhibition featuring the work is on display at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Planetarium throughout October 2012 in “The Universe Exposed: photographing the cosmos.”
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