Please don’t assume that any ordinary mortals just point their telescope and take photos like these -it can take a lot of time and the right equipment but I’m some of you will -maybe one day I hope. Here are some choice photos from the Astronomy Photograher Of The Year Awards. These are all 72dpi unless otherwise stated.

Look online for higher resolutions.  For far, far more information go to: Royal Museums Greenwich: Astronomy Galleries

And you can even buy properly made large prints.

The Andromeda Galaxy

by Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner and Yann Sainty 72dpi

Young Running Chicken Nebula - Centaurus Constellation

by Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang

The SH2-132 Complex Near The Border Of The Cepheus & Lacerta Complexe

by Aaron Wilhelm

Sprites Of Atmospheric Luminescence -From Highest Himalayan Ridge At Lake Puma Yumco, Tibet       by Angel An

Jupiter Close Up -From Singapore

by Marco Lorenzi

The Sun From Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina

by Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau

Northern Lights Reflected On Skagsanden Beach, LofotenIslands, Norway

Encircled Mountain Is Hustinden       by Andreas Ettl

Ionised Gas At The Center Of The Heart Nebula IC 1805     by Péter Feltóti, Hungary

Comet Leonard’s Tail Breaking Off     by Gerald Rhemann

Dark Wolf Nebula

by James Baguley