Nebula Photograph Takes Top Prize at Royal Observatory Astronomy Awards

A photograph of a nebula has won the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, the BBC reports. The winning image was announced by the Royal Observatory, which runs the annual contest through Royal Museums Greenwich.

The BBC did not name the photographer or the specific nebula in its headline report. Royal Museums Greenwich published the full list of winners, and New Scientist and Live Science both carried coverage of the awarded images.

Other recognised entries included a space shark, described as a "royal" aurora display and a "Venusian pearl," according to Live Science. The Telegraph also reported on the 2026 results.

The competition is organised by the Royal Observatory, part of Royal Museums Greenwich, and is sponsored by the astronomy equipment maker ZWO, as reflected in the award's full name.

astronomy photography

The BBC published its report on the win on Friday, 18 September 2026.

Details of the winning photographer, the nebula's name and the full category results are available through Royal Museums Greenwich, which released the complete winners list alongside the BBC and other outlets.

What to watch next: the Royal Observatory's published winners list for the full set of 2026 categories and the stories behind each image.