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Is there anything more breathtaking and surreal than outer space? Often, I feel like there absolutely isn't. Maybe it's because of all the celestial masterpieces stars, galaxies, and planets paint, effortlessly sweeping us off our feet? Or maybe we feel this way about space because it's something we can't touch, tame, or change? Or perhaps, it's because of that nostalgic feeling you get when it's a warm summer night and you raise your head and look up at the sky and all the stars simultaneously remind you of how truly small you are (but in the best way possible)?

But now, let's get to the point. Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the largest international competition of its kind which, every year, showcases the best space photography from a global community of astrophotographers. The winners of the 2020 competition have just been announced and they're all absolutely stunning. Bored Panda invites you to look through some of the most spectacular photos from this year's space photography competition and choose your favorites!

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    #2

    Shortlist - 'Galactic Portal' By Marcin Zajac

    Shortlist - 'Galactic Portal' By Marcin Zajac

    Marcin Zajac Report

    #3

    Shortlist - 'Iceland' By Kristina Makeeva

    Shortlist - 'Iceland' By Kristina Makeeva

    Kristina Makeeva Report

    The overall winner of the competition is the photo called “Andromeda Galaxy at Arm's Length?” that was taken by a French astrophotographer Nicolas Lefaudeux. "To most of us, our closest neighbouring galaxy Andromeda can also feel so distanced and out of reach, yet to create a photograph that gives us the impression that it is just within our physical reach is truly magical, and somewhat appropriate as we adjust after such socially distanced times," said the competition judge Ed Robinson.

    #4

    Stars And Nebulae Runner Up - 'The Dolphin Jumping Out Of An Ocean Of Gas' By Connor Matherne

    Stars And Nebulae Runner Up - 'The Dolphin Jumping Out Of An Ocean Of Gas' By Connor Matherne

    Connor Matherne Report

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    #5

    Skyscapes Runner Up - 'Desert Magic' By Stefan Liebermann

    Skyscapes Runner Up - 'Desert Magic' By Stefan Liebermann

    Stefan Liebermann Report

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    Amit John
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn’t this an edited picture? How can the ground be as sharp as the sky- and how is space so visible without zoom? Unless that’s really possible in the desert?

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    #6

    Skyscapes Winner - 'Painting The Sky' By Thomas Kast

    Skyscapes Winner - 'Painting The Sky' By Thomas Kast

    Thomas Kast Report

    The winner of Skyscapes is the photo called "Painting the Sky" taken by Thomas Kast. The photo captures polar stratospheric clouds in Finnish Lapland, looking like a spectacular water color painting. "Clouds are said to be the bane of astronomers, but they can also be the inspiration for a breathtaking astrophoto. These rare, incredibly high nacreous clouds reflect colour like oil does on water and this photographer has captured them perfectly. With subtle processing they have brought out the vibrant hues that can sometimes be seen in our skies," commented the Art Editor at the BBC Sky at Night Magazine Steve Marsh.

    #7

    Aurorae Runner Up - 'Lone Tree Under A Scandinavian Aurora' By Tom Archer

    Aurorae Runner Up - 'Lone Tree Under A Scandinavian Aurora' By Tom Archer

    Tom Archer Report

    #8

    Galaxies Winner And Overall Winner - 'Andromeda Galaxy At Arm's Length' By Nicolas Lefaudeux

    Galaxies Winner And Overall Winner - 'Andromeda Galaxy At Arm's Length' By Nicolas Lefaudeux

    Nicolas Lefaudeux Report

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    #9

    Our Sun Runner Up - '145 Seconds Of Darkness' By Filip Ogorzelski

    Our Sun Runner Up - '145 Seconds Of Darkness' By Filip Ogorzelski

    Filip Ogorzelski Report

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    Our Sun winner is the photo taken by a British photographer Alexandra Hart called "Liquid Sunshine." "This is a stunning example of how the ‘quiet’ Sun is never truly quiet. While the Sun may be less active, the nuclear fusion ongoing below its surface sustains all life on our little world," commented astrophysicist, astronomer and science communicator at Royal Observatory Greenwich Emily Drabek-Maunder.

    #10

    Our Moon Runner Up - 'Hdr Partial Lunar Eclipse With Clouds' By Ethan Roberts

    Our Moon Runner Up - 'Hdr Partial Lunar Eclipse With Clouds' By Ethan Roberts

    Ethan Roberts Report

    #11

    Young Competition Winner - 'The Four Planets And The Moon' By Alice Fock Hang

    Young Competition Winner - 'The Four Planets And The Moon' By Alice Fock Hang

    Alice Fock Hang Report

    #12

    Stars And Nebulae Winner - 'Cosmic Inferno' By Peter Ward

    Stars And Nebulae Winner - 'Cosmic Inferno' By Peter Ward

    Peter Ward Report

    The pastel masterpiece capturing the moon was nominated as the winner of Our Moon category. "This vibrant image teases out the faint colours on the surface of the Moon. Not only is this composition visually striking, but it highlights the different materials the Moon is made up of, all from the safety of the Earth," commented Emily Drabek-Maunder.

    #13

    Shortlist - 'Dance Over The Swamp' By Kamil Nureev

    Shortlist - 'Dance Over The Swamp' By Kamil Nureev

    Kamil Nureev Report

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    #14

    Our Moon Winner - 'Tycho Crater Region With Colours' By Alain Paillou

    Our Moon Winner - 'Tycho Crater Region With Colours' By Alain Paillou

    Alain Paillou Report

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    Cal
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are all the colors of my surfboard I just started glassing :D

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    #15

    Shortlist - 'The Many Jets And Shells Of Centaurus A' By Connor Matherne

    Shortlist - 'The Many Jets And Shells Of Centaurus A' By Connor Matherne

    Connor Matherne Report

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    "This was such a dramatic image, with the ‘green lady’ appearing to take flight above the mountains and illuminated water’s edge. I liked the way the landscape was dwarfed by the dominant aurora and yet the forms and colours of the composition echoed above with below. This was one of my favourite images," fine art photographer Susan Derges commented on the winner of Aurorae category.

    #16

    Sir Patrick Moore Prize For Best Newcomer Winner - 'Waves' By Bence Toth

    Sir Patrick Moore Prize For Best Newcomer Winner - 'Waves' By Bence Toth

    Bence Toth Report

    #17

    Shortlist - 'Jupiter Rising' By Stacey Downton

    Shortlist - 'Jupiter Rising' By Stacey Downton

    Stacey Downton Report

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    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how she got out there to take that photo. We never see it like that from Earth.

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    #18

    Shortlist - 'The Moon And The Shard' By Mathew Browne

    Shortlist - 'The Moon And The Shard' By Mathew Browne

    Mathew Browne Report

    #19

    Planets, Comets And Asteroids Winner - 'Space Between Us...' By Łukasz Sujka

    Planets, Comets And Asteroids Winner - 'Space Between Us...' By Łukasz Sujka

    Łukasz Sujka Report

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    #20

    Our Sun Winner - 'Liquid Sunshine' By Alexandra Hart

    Our Sun Winner - 'Liquid Sunshine' By Alexandra Hart

    Alexandra Hart Report

    #21

    Young Competition Runner Up - 'Detached Prominences' By Thea Hutchinson

    Young Competition Runner Up - 'Detached Prominences' By Thea Hutchinson

    Thea Hutchinson Report

    #22

    People And Space Runner Up - 'Observe The Heart Of The Galaxy' By Tian Li

    People And Space Runner Up - 'Observe The Heart Of The Galaxy' By Tian Li

    Tian Li Report

    #23

    Annie Maunder Prize For Image Innovation Winner - 'Dark River' (Detail) By Julie Hill

    Annie Maunder Prize For Image Innovation Winner - 'Dark River' (Detail) By Julie Hill

    Julie Hill Report

    #24

    Shortlist - 'Ineffable' By Alyn Wallace

    Shortlist - 'Ineffable' By Alyn Wallace

    Alyn Wallace Report

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    POST
    Bobby Sammons
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to look up the word "Ineffable". I had never heard it before, or even seen it written...it means "too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words."

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    #25

    Galaxies Runner Up - 'Ngc 3628 With 300,000 Light Year Long Tail' By Mark Hanson

    Galaxies Runner Up - 'Ngc 3628 With 300,000 Light Year Long Tail' By Mark Hanson

    Mark Hanson Report

    #26

    People And Space Winner - 'The Prison Of Technology' By Rafael Schmall

    People And Space Winner - 'The Prison Of Technology' By Rafael Schmall

    Rafael Schmall Report

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    #27

    Shortlist - 'Sunspots Ar 2741 And Ar 2740' By Ruslan Ilnitsky

    Shortlist - 'Sunspots Ar 2741 And Ar 2740' By Ruslan Ilnitsky

    Ruslan Ilnitsky Report

    #28

    Planets, Comets And Asteroids Runner Up - 'In The Outer Reaches' By Martin Lewis

    Planets, Comets And Asteroids Runner Up - 'In The Outer Reaches' By Martin Lewis

    Martin Lewis Report