Twilight zone: Arctic island in eclipse wins astronomy photo award
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Version 0 of 1. An awe-inspiring landscape featuring a total eclipse of the sun has secured the title of astronomy photographer of the year for Luc Jamet. Announced at a ceremony at the Royal Observatory Greenwich on Thursday night, the French photographer beat more than 1,000 amateur and professional photographers to win the £2,500 prize. Jamet’s image was taken on 20 March 2015 when he was standing on a snowy ridge 100 metres above the ice-bound valley of Sassendalen in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. Sixteen seconds before he pressed the shutter, the Moon had slipped in front of the Sun to create a total eclipse. The lunar silhouette is seen poised above the wintery scene. Related: Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015 shortlist - in pictures Speaking about the image, the competition judge and Royal Observatory public astronomer, Dr Marek Kukula, said: “The total solar eclipse was one of the astronomical highlights of the year and Luc Jamet has captured it perfectly. “I love the way that the icy landscape of Svalbard reflects and intensifies the evocative colours of the sky – colours that only occur during the few minutes of totality, and which make any eclipse an unforgettable experience.” Winners of this year’s awards included a pin-sharp image of the Omega Centauri star cluster by Ignácio Díaz Bobillo from Argentina in the stars and nebulae category. A colourful rendition of the celestial whirlpool of stars found at the heart of galaxy M33 by Michael van Doorn from the Netherlands scooped the galaxies category. The people and space category juxtaposes a figure or a signature of the human presence on earth against the celestial realm. This year’s winner, Chap Him Wong from Hong Kong, pictures campers sheltering from the wind within view of Sunset Peak, the third highest mountain in Hong Kong. Above the mountain, the stars trail across the sky as Earth turns on its axis in this long exposure. The Sir Patrick Moore prize for best newcomer went to David Holliday from the UK for capturing the glowing veils of the nearby stellar nursery, the Orion Nebula. The young astronomy photographer of the year award went to a British 15-year-old, George Martin, who impressed the judges for skilfully guiding his telescope to follow Comet Lovejoy, leaving the stars to smear into streaks in the background. The BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s editor, Chris Bramley, who is also a judge for the competition, said: “Each and every category contained images of a jaw-dropping standard.” Now in its seventh year, the 2015 competition, sponsored by the investment firm Insight, received a record number of entries. More than 2,700 photographs were received from more than 60 countries. The winners and runners-up will be on show in the Royal Observatory’s astronomy centre. This free exhibition will run from 18 September 2015 to 26 June 2016. For information about entering next year’s competition visit www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto. |