This collection of beautiful images of space taken by photographers from
all over the world comprises images from the first four years of the
Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, which is organized by
the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in association with Sky at Night
Magazine, and powered by the photo-sharing website Flickr. From giant
storm systems in Jupiter s atmosphere to the colorful wispy remnants of
a supernova explosion and the dazzling green curtain of the Northern
Lights, the competition brings together some of the last four years best
space imagery of astronomical objects from within our solar system and
far into deep space by astrophotographers from around the world. All
winning, runner-up, and highly commended entries from all four years of
the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition are included, as well
as all shortlisted images from the 2012 competition. The images are
submitted in one the categories: Earth and Space, Our Solar System, Deep
Space, or Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and can also be
entered for one of the special prizes: Best Newcomer, People and Space,
or Robotic Scope. Each image is accompanied by caption, photographer,
location, and technical details. More information about the competition
and a short guide to taking astronomy photographs is included."