Archway to Heaven
The natural rock archway of Durdle Door dramatically frames the distant band of our Milky Way in this carefully composed shot. The spectacular rock formations in this part of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast are more than 100 million years old. (© Stephen Banks)
It may be hard to believe, but these stunning space images are not part of the latest releases from NASA.
From bright meteors to dazzling auroral displays, the photos are submissions for the 2013 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, and were taken by either professionals or complete beginners throughout the world.
Entries included spectacular shots of the Milky Way seen from Dorset's Jurassic Coast and Yosemite Valley in California, sweeping views of the Northern Lights, and star formations.
To help capture the clearest images of the cosmos, many astrophotographers take a look at weather conditions. Stargazing is best in locations where the humidity is low, which leads to clearer skies, weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce said. "This is why some of the best viewing is found in the southwestern states."
In the East, a strong cold front passage followed by an area of high pressure can produce crystal clear skies, particularly in the fall. Humid conditions in the summer are not ideal for stargazing due to the hazy skies.
"For optimal viewing, it's best to get as far away as possible from light pollution caused by larger cities," Dolce added.
Judges for this year's competition will include Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a TV presenter and space scientist, Chris Bramley, editor of Sky at Night Magazine, and Dr. Marek Kukula, the Royal Observatory's public astronomer. The winners of the competition's four categories and three special prizes will be announced on Sept. 18.
In the meantime, check out some of the awe-inspiring images of the night sky in our slideshow.
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New York City, posted on April 23, 2013. Cmdr. Chris Hadfield tweets: Incredibly clear, before the trees have filled with leaves. (Chris Hadfield/NASA)