Rarely photographed Shark Nebula showing oceanic predator prowling the skies above Kuwaiti desert wins world's largest astrophotography competition. It took over 28 hours to capture it, says award-winning photographer

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has declared Ali Alobaidly the victor of its Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition for his image of the Shark Nebula. This dark nebula, located 650 light years away, is composed of interstellar dust that blocks starlight. Art editor Steve Marsh commended Alobaidly's flawless presentation, pin-sharp details, and dynamic contrast, noting that the nebula's resolution reveals distant galaxies within its structure, making it exceptionally special.

Winning £10,000, Alobaidly expressed his intention to utilize his photography to enhance astronomy's accessibility, engagement, and significance through science communication and education. This year's competition received nearly 4,000 entries from 66 countries. 15-year-old Nikolaos Strimpoulis claimed the ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year title for his photograph of the Moon, titled "Mineral Moon," showcasing the lunar surface's dark maria and bright highlands through the mineral deposits' orange and blue hues.

Marsh highlighted that many budding astrophotographers begin with the Moon before progressing to more complex celestial bodies. Astronomer Dr. Greg Brown emphasized the competition's entries demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation, and advancements in technology. An exhibition featuring the winning and highly commended images will be displayed at the National Maritime Museum in London starting September 18th.