Winning Shots From The 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest
The night sky is rife with magical moments just waiting to be captured, and this year, astrophotographers flocked to various locations to shoot the most mesmerising displays. The otherworldly photographs were submitted to the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich recently announced the winning images, which are on exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in London.
This year, The Andromeda Core by photographers Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, and Chuhong Yu took the prestigious title for ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025. Their stunning image reveals the heart of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in remarkable detail, thanks to a powerful telescope and clear skies at Spain’s AstroCamp Observatory. The team’s focus was to highlight the galaxy’s complex central structure and the stars that surround it. The photographers shared, “We are thrilled to receive this award. Competing in ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year has given us a chance to share not just our photo, but the wonder of the universe, with everyone.”
The overall winner of the competition will receive £10,000, while winners in each category and the ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year will be awarded £1,500. Runners-up will get £500, and those who are highly commended will receive £250. Special prize winners will be given £750. In addition to cash prizes, all winners will also enjoy a one-year subscription to BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Scroll to view the breathtaking photos of all the category winners, shared in the gallery below.
More info: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#1 Highly commended – Instant and Eternal by Zhang Yanguang
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#2 Runner Up – A Sun Yawn by Zhang Yanguang
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#3 The overall winner and Galaxies category winner – The Andromeda Core by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, Chuhong Yu
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#4 Skyscapes category winner – The Ridge by Tom Rae
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#5 Sun category winner – Active Region of the Sun’s Chromosphere by James Sinclair
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#6 Moon category winner – The Trace of Refraction by Marcella Giulia Pace
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#7 Aurorae category winner – Crown of Light by Kavan Chay
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#8 Planets, Comets and Asteroids category winner – Comet 12P-Pons-Brooks Taking a Final Bow by Dan Bartlett
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#9 People and Space category winner – ISS Lunar Flyby by Tom Williams
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#10 Stars and Nebulae category winner -M13 – An Ultra-Deep Exposure of the Popular Cluster by Distant Luminosity group
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#11 The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer – Encounter Across Light Years by Yurui Gong, Xizhen Ruan
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#12 The Annie Maunder Open Category – Fourth Dimension by Leonardo Di Maggio
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
#13 ZWO Young Competition – Orion, the Horsehead and the Flame in H-alpha by Daniele Borsari
Image Source: RoyalMuseumsGreenwich
Daniele Borsari has been named the ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year for his stunning image of “Orion, the Horsehead and the Flame” taken in H-Alpha. Instead of using bright colours, Daniele chose to capture the scene in black and white, drawing attention to the dramatic shapes and outlines of the nebulae. Judge Greg Brown called this approach a bold choice that was beautifully successful.
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