The Best Space Images of the Year Are Totally Captivating

Ah, the mysteries of the cosmos. Stargazers everywhere, both sciencey and romantic, can rejoice at this exciting time because the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 competition exhibition is showing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London through 23 February next year.

We've come an awfully long way from the first photo of the moon taken ca. 1826, what with our insanely high ISOs these days, and our tripods and our knowledge and our penchant for standing around all night while our Canons painstakingly track the path of the stars. Now in its fifth year, the competition received more than 1200 entries from 49 countries. Turns out, it's not only nerdy Hubble astronomers and National Geographic lensmen training their eyes on the skies — all manner of enchanting and mind-bending space images are being made by inspired amateurs year-round (even a 14-year-old's work has earned some laurels this year). You're sure to deeply enjoy pondering the beauty of infinity as you check out these selects.

So who's been judged the ultimate astrophotography kingpin? Australia's Mark Gee with his photo 'Guiding Light to the Stars' — and we just happen to have the Concrete Playground Bluffer's Guide to Astronomy Photography on hand, featuring all the advice you could need from Mr. Gee himself. It's not so easy making sharp and correctly-lit images of the night sky (Lord knows I've tried and failed), which makes Gee's wisdom, and the shots in the exhibition, even more impressive.

Soundtrack while you are shooting meteors? 'Constellations' by indie quirkster Darwin Deez. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 book is out now, and the Flickr pool has all the submissions for your viewing pleasure.

Top image: Hi.Hello photographed by Ben Canales (Runner up – People and Space Category)

Guiding Light to the Stars by Mark Gee, winner of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year

“Snowy Range Perseid Meteor Shower” shot by David Kingham (Highly Commended – Earth & Space Category)

The Waxing Crescent Moon by 14-year-old Jacob Marchio (Highly Commended – Young Astronomy Photographer Category)

Green Energy by Fredrik Broms, capturing the Aurora Borealis (Runner Up – Earth & Space Category)

Moon Silhouettes by Mark Gee (Winner – People and Space Category)

Celestial Impasto Sh2-239 by Adam Block (Winner – Deep Space Category)

Floating Metropolis – NGC 253 photographed by Michael Sidonio of Australia, showing the rare appearance of a starburst galaxy, with many stars being born at once (Highly Commended – Deep Space Category)

Via Hyperallergic