The winners of the prestigious 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award have been announced, revealing a breathtaking array of cosmic images that capture the beauty of ancient galaxies, mesmerizing nebulas, and our very own moon.

Astrophotographers from around the globe submitted over 5,800 entries to this 17th annual competition held by the Royal Observatory Greenwich in collaboration with ZWO. The results, judged by an esteemed panel of experts, were unveiled during a stunning livestreamed ceremony on September 11.

The grand prize was awarded to a jaw-dropping portrait of the Andromeda Galaxy, captured by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, and Chuhong Yu. This amazing piece will be showcased in a special exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in the U.K. starting September 12, alongside the impressive works from each category.

"Once again, the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year presents an extraordinary collection of astrophotography," remarked Dr. Ed Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory. "This year’s entries particularly challenge viewers to delve deeper into the mechanics behind the shots, and the judges were thoroughly impressed!"

Highlights from the Winning Images

Here's a closer look at some of the award-winning images from the 2025 competition:

Auroras – Crown of Light by Kavan Chay

Captured during a powerful G5 geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024, Kavan Chay's brilliant image of vibrant red, green, and yellow auroras dancing across Tumbledown Bay, New Zealand, showcases nature’s light show in all its glory.

Our Moon – The Trace of Refraction by Marcella Giulia Pace

Marcella Giulia Pace's mesmerizing photograph brilliantly illustrates the moon's light being refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere over Sicily on April 7, 2024, highlighting the enchanting effects of Rayleigh scattering.

Our Sun – Active Region of the Chromosphere by James Sinclair

James Sinclair’s striking image reveals a chaotic section of the sun’s chromosphere, where hydrogen and helium plasma dance under the influence of the sun’s magnetic forces, captured through a 10-second exposure.

People & Space – ISS Lunar Flyby by Tom Williams

Tom Williams snapped a spectacular view of the International Space Station gliding past the moon's cratered surface on October 27, an instance of human ingenuity meeting the wonders of nature.

Planets, Comets & Asteroids – Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks Taking a Final Bow by Dan Bartlett

In early 2024, Dan Bartlett captured an incredible detail shot of the wandering comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, showcasing its striking tail against the cosmic backdrop.

Skyscapes – The Ridge by Tom Rae

Tom Rae’s panoramic masterpiece depicts the Milky Way arching beautifully over the glacial rivers of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, composed of an astonishing 62 images!

Stars & Nebulas – M13: An Ultra-Deep Exposure by Distant Luminosity

This enchanting image of the Great Hercules Cluster, taken by Julian Zoller and team, required a staggering 29 hours of exposure to unveil the beauty of this cosmic city.

Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer – Encounter Across Light Years by Yurui Gong & Xizhen Ruan

This striking shot captures a brilliant Perseid meteor streaking across the Andromeda Galaxy on August 12, 2024, just as the meteor shower peaked.

ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year – Orion, the Horsehead and the Flame by Daniele Borsari

Daniele Borsari created a monochrome wonder of the Horsehead and Orion nebulas, accumulated through over 22 hours of observation.

Annie Maunder Open Category – Fourth Dimension by Leonardo Di Maggio

Leonardo Di Maggio combined a meteorite image with data from the James Webb Space Telescope to craft an evocative depiction of a potential fourth dimension.

Overall Winner: Galaxies – The Andromeda Core by Weitang Liang, Qi Yang, Chuhong Yu

The overall winner, featuring intricate details of the Andromeda Galaxy, showcases a dynamic composition that adds a fresh perspective to one of the most photographed subjects in the universe. Captured over 38 hours from Spain, this image revealed the complex structure of our galaxy's closest neighbor.

The team expressed their disbelief at winning: "We never thought we'd take the overall crown! Thanks to ZWO, we can share our cosmic journeys with the world."

Special Feature – Earth From Orbit by Don Pettit

Concluding the celebrations, astronaut Don Pettit shared a mesmerizing image of Earth taken from the International Space Station in March 2025, using a homemade star tracker for an unparalleled glimpse of our planet.