Stunning space images on show at World Museum

Astounding images of the heavens are on show at World Museum as it hosts the prestigious Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition.

One hundred spectacular photographs of and inspired by space and taken by amateurs and professionals from across the globe - including an eight-year-old boy in Wales - are on display until September 1.

They were entered in the annual competition organised by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and in 2018, more than 4,200 entries from photographers from 91 countries were received.

The overall winner American Brad Goldpaint with his Transport the Soul photograph (above), which also won the ‘people and space’ category.

That will be on show alongside a host of other stunning images including a mesmerising mosaic of the Great Orion and the Running Man Nebula; a magical scene of an Aurora Borealis exploding over the south coast of Iceland, and a solar transit of the International Space Station between the massive sunspots AR 12674 and AR 12673.

World Museum Senior Curator Dr Geraldine Reid said: “The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition is hugely popular. The exhibition celebrates the very best in astrophotography from around the world. Each year it produces images that broaden our perception of the universe and year on year, shows its diverse and wonderful beauty.

“During the run of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing on July 20 1969. Its timing couldn’t be more perfect, and where else, but World Museum to enjoy such dazzling images?”

2018 judges included artist Sarah Pickering, Ormskirk-born comedian and keen amateur astronomer Jon Culshaw, and Editor of BBC Sky at Night Magazine Chris Bramley, alongside a host of experts in the worlds of art and astronomy.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors to the William Brown Street venue – the most visited museum outside London last year – can also enjoy a free programme of events and activities or discover the universe and its marvels in the full dome Planetarium (tickets £3/£2).

Astronomy Photographer of the Year is at World Museum from May 3 to September 1.

Image above: Holy Light II by Mikkel Beiter