The Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to announce that entries are now open for RAStroPhoto, a global photography competition commemorating the bicentenary of one of the world's largest and most prestigious astronomy journals.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year, having first been published in 1827.
RAStroPhoto will showcase images taken by amateur astronomers and citizen scientists that capture the beauty of the cosmos, the night sky, and the science or scientists that help us understand the universe.
It is open to everyone worldwide – entry is free and all skill levels are welcome. Professional equipment is not required.
The categories are:
- Our Solar System
- Deep Sky
- Our Galaxy
- Earth & Space
- Observing Astronomers
The closing date for submissions is 15 January 2027.
All entries must have been taken within five years of the competition opening date and must not have previously been awarded at any other competition prior to the opening date. AI-generated images are not permitted.
The images will be reviewed by a panel of five judges: Chrysa Avdellidou, David Kaplan, Claudia Maraston, J-P Metsävainio and Mike Peel. They will be judged based on technique, composition, aesthetics and storytelling.
From those entries selected by the judges, the following awards will be given: one overall winner, five category winners and five runners-up.
Each category winner will receive £500, with the overall winner receiving £2,000 worth of equipment from the competition's sponsor, First Light Optics.
The winners will be announced in the summer of 2027.
To enter RAStroPhoto, visit the competition website at www.rastrophoto.ras.ac.uk