Stunning Visuals Shine at 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer Awards

The 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards showcased an impressive collection of astronomical images, highlighting the beauty and complexity of our universe. This prestigious event, organized by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, recognized exceptional photography across various categories, with contributions from talented photographers worldwide.

One of the standout moments from the awards came from Kavan Chay, who captured a mesmerizing photograph of the aurora during the largest geomagnetic storm in 20 years on May 2024. Chay, stationed in Tumbledown Bay, New Zealand, utilized a Nikon Z 7 astro-modified camera to immortalize the vibrant aurora resulting from the G5-level storm. He described the experience as “breathtaking” on Instagram, noting how the display of lights provided a sense of peace amidst anxious thoughts. Chay’s image secured top honors in the Aurorae category of the competition.

Overall Winner and Category Highlights

The Overall Winner prize was awarded to the stunning piece titled “The Andromeda Core,” created by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, and Chuhong Yu. The photographers achieved remarkable detail in this image of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), using a long focal-length telescope to capture the intricate structure of the galaxy’s core. Sam Wen, Founder and CEO of ZWO, praised the image, emphasizing that such clarity requires not only advanced astronomical equipment but also patience and teamwork.

Other notable winners included “Comet 12P/Pons−Brooks Taking a Final Bow,” captured by Dan Bartlett. This image depicted the comet’s dynamic tail, reacting to intensified solar winds during the current solar maximum, which resulted in vivid colors and movement.

Photographer Tom Rae received accolades for his expansive panorama titled “The Ridge,” which encompasses over a billion pixels stitched from 62 images. The photograph features twin glacial rivers under the Milky Way, providing a breathtaking view of the cosmos.

Runner-Up and Highly Commended Works

Several additional images stood out in the competition. “Veil of Stars,” created by Zixiong Jin, showcased the Veil Nebula’s intricate details and colors through a combination of specialized equipment and artistic composition. Similarly, “Saturnrise” captured a rare lunar occultation of Saturn, an event that occurred near the planet’s opposition.

Among the highly commended works, “Electric Threads of the Lightning Spaghetti Nebula” by Shaoyu Zhang unveiled the subtle beauty of this supernova remnant, while “Moonrise Perfection Over the Dolomites” by Fabian Dalpiaz presented a stunning full Moon rising over the Dolomites, illuminated by golden sunset light.

The awards also highlighted unique moments in astronomy. “Encounter Across Light Years” by Yurui Gong and Xizhen Ruan captured an unexpected fireball from the Perseid meteor shower grazing the Andromeda Galaxy.

The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards not only celebrate the artistic talents of photographers but also underscore the vastness and wonder of the universe. Each image tells a story of exploration, patience, and a deep appreciation for the celestial phenomena that inspire humanity to look up and dream.