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The best of the 2019 Astronomy Photographer of the Year
One of the most specialized types of photography, Astrophotography is probably one of the most difficult to try your hand at. However, if you manage to get it right, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most astonishingly breathtaking images you are ever likely to see. The best of those images end up at the annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
The quality of the entrants from this year’s competition was nothing short of spectacular. The 2019 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition attracted 4,602 entries from 90 different countries across the world, all vying for the coveted prize of best picture. Unfortunately, there can be only one overall winner and that was Hungarian photographer László Francsics. Presenting the universe in a new light, his bewitching image, Into the Shadow, depicts the 35 phases of the total lunar eclipse that occurred on January 21st, 2019.
“I started taking astrophotos in 2003 at the age of 19 at the very moment I looked into a small telescope,” said László. “I had already been into photography for several years, and one of my friends pulled me into amateur astronomy. I put the two things together immediately.”
According to the photographer, Hungary is a fairly good location in Europe for astrophotography because of the low light pollution in certain areas. For his Into the Shadow moon eclipse shot, László took the photo from the roof-terrace over his house. The style of photography, while technical and difficult, is more accessible than you might think. László says that people are trying it with their mobile phones — you don’t need a hundred thousand dollar robotic photo-telescope.
Would you like to give it a try? Scroll down below to see the best of the entrants from this year’s competition for yourself, and then head over to the Astronomy Photographer of the Year website to read more about each of the stunning photographs.
