In today's world, humanity can capture images of the universe far beyond what was previously possible, thanks to technological advancements. It's like an update to humanity's perception OS of the universe. However, the distance between us and the universe still feels vast, and sometimes it seems like our image of space hasn't changed since the Apollo moon landing. Viewing photos of space might not yet be a daily occurrence.
We've gathered photos that make you think, "Has humanity really progressed this much?"
For example, this one.
©︎ Andrew McCarthy
The International Space Station (ISS) is actually nearly 1,000 times closer to Earth than the moon, but this photo makes it appear as if the ISS and the moon are close together.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023 Winners
The 15th annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023, hosted by the Royal Museums Greenwich, was held this year. Over 4,000 entries from photographers in 64 countries were submitted across 11 different categories. Take a look at the enchanting photos left by those who have spent more time gazing at the night sky than anyone else.
Unexpected Andromeda Galaxy
©︎ Marcel Drechsler, "Andromeda, Unexpected"
A stunning capture of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way. An unexpected discovery was also made, revealing a massive plasma arc next to the galaxy.
Grand Cosmic Fireworks
©︎ Angel An, "Grand Cosmic Fireworks"
This rare electrical discharge occurs far above the atmosphere, emitting a red light, unlike typical lightning.
When the Moon Embraces Mars
©︎ Andrew McCarthy, "Mars-Set"
Predicting the moon's orbit perfectly to capture the moment it aligns with Mars. It depicts the moon and Mars in detail as if a giant telephoto lens was brought into space. It's astonishing that this was captured from Earth.
The Sun's Surface Glow
©︎ Mehmet Ergün, "The Sun"
The sun's surface, reminiscent of an autumn pampas grass field. The solar flare erupting in the center of the photo is approximately 700,000 kilometers, which is unimaginable.
Nebula's Abstract Art
©︎ Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang, "The Running Chicken Nebula"
The colorful nebula paints countless unnamed lights.
Human dreams continue to expand infinitely with the brilliance of the stars. Dive into the unseen images of the universe from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023.
