An airliner flies across the Sun, a Perseid meteor streaks across the sky and the dazzling green and red lights of the aurora borealis light up a mountain.<\/p>\n
These are some of the awe-inspiring entries in the 2012 Astronomy Photographer of the Year award.<\/p>\n
Now in its fourth year, the competition, run by The Royal Observatory, showcases the work of amateur astro-photographers from around the world.<\/p>\n
A long exposure was needed to get the Perseid meteor over the light-painted double arch in Americas Arches National Park in Utah. <\/p>\n
The Perseids peak every August when the Earth passes through the remains of the comet Swift-Tutt.<\/p>\n
Another picture looks like one of the pillars of creation. The column of dust and emerging stars known as the Elephants Trunk can be found in the constellation of Cepheus.<\/p>\n
Trunk doesnt quite capture its magnitude. This natural creation is 20 light years long and 3,000 light years away from us. <\/p>\n
The true scale and complexity of the Orion Nebula is seen in all its detailed glory by another entrant. To the naked eye, this constellation appears only as a small patch of hazy light among the stars of Orions sword.<\/p>\n
The aurora was seen in its iridescent glory above the Hgtuva mountain in northern Norway. It occurs 80km (50 miles) above the Earths surface as charged particles hit our atmosphere. <\/p>\n
Winners will be announced on September 19 with a free exhibition at the observatory opening to the public the next day. It runs until February. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
More here: <\/p>\n
Stunning images entered for 2012 Astronomy Photographer of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An airliner flies across the Sun, a Perseid meteor streaks across the sky and the dazzling green and red lights of the aurora borealis light up a mountain. Continue reading