Gallery | Star struck

Run by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Astronomy Photographer of the Year showcases the best of space. This year, the 14th competition received over 3,000 stellar entries from 67 countries around the world.

Austrian astrophotographer Gerald Rhemann captured this stunning, comp-winning image below from the Tivoli Southern Sky Guest Farm in Khomas, Namibia, on Christmas Day 2021.

It reveals the moment a piece of Comet Leonard’s tail was pinched off and carried away by solar wind.

American astronomer G.J. Leonard had discovered the comet nearly a year earlier, on 3 January 2021, and it made its closest pass to Earth on 12 December 2021. It’s now left the solar system, and won’t be seen from Earth again.

Disconnection event (above) is the Overall Winner of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and Winner – Planets, Comets & Asteroids.

For all of the incredible images from the Star struck Gallery showcasing the best of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards, head below to Cosmos 97 | Energy. Effort. Endeavour