![Encounter Within One Second ? Zhang Yanguang This image captures the International Space Station (ISS) transiting across the solar disc. The solar background was captured separately with double-stacked etalon[an optical filter that isolates specific wavelengths, used to observe solar details], and reveals high-contrast chromospheric details. The imaging sequences were strategically combined during post-processing to preserve both the spacecraft?s crisp silhouette and the Sun?s intricate surface features. Taken with a Takahashi Teegul 60 telescope, Coronado SolarMax 60 double stacked, Vixen polaris mount, Player One Astronomy Neptune-M camera, 500 mm f/8.3, 0.3-millisecond exposure Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China, 24 January 2025](https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/15105756/SEI_258289939.jpg)
Encounter Inside One Second © Zhang Yanguang
The Worldwide Area Station (ISS) scrolling throughout the solar, a relative close-up of a comet and an otherworldly tree framed by rotating stars are all shortlisted for this 12 months’s ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.
Pictured above is Zhang Yanguang’s Encounter Inside One Second: a superimposed collection of photographs of the silhouetted ISS because it passes instantly between Earth and the solar. The area station’s giant photo voltaic panels, which harvest vitality from that exact same star, are clearly seen. The photographer used two optical filters to isolate particular wavelengths and spotlight crisp particulars of the solar’s broiling floor.
Shut-up of Comet C/2023 A3 © Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger
Pictured above, is a close-up picture of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger, taken from Namibia. Comets have two tails – one made from mud and one in all gasoline – and right here they seem to have nearly overlapped as a result of excessive photo voltaic winds.
The ultimate picture, proven beneath, is Dragon Tree Trails by Benjamin Barakat, taken in Firmihin Forest on the Yemenese island of Socotra. A dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) takes centre stage, framed completely by the starscape created by merging 300 particular person exposures.
Dragon Tree Trails © Benjamin Barakat
This 12 months, the competitors attracted greater than 5500 entries from 69 nations. The winners in 9 classes, two particular prizes and the general winner will likely be introduced on 11 September and the profitable photos will likely be displayed in an exhibition at London’s Nationwide Maritime Museum from 12 September.
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