Video impression of the evening, by Sky at Night Magazine.
Last week I attended the Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards ceremony at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. I was there with fellow Galaxy Zooites Els (all the way from Belgium) and Jules and Geoff. From his tweets we gathered that Chris (Lintott) wouldn’t be around this year, but there were many other ‘usual suspects’. It was a great evening, full of lovely people and stunning images.
The four of us with champagne in the exhibition hall (picture by André van der Hoeven).
The grand view from the hill (picture by Jon Culshaw).
Geoff had taken us for a walk along this part of London before the event (picture by Geoff Roynon).
Geoff and Jules having ice cream (picture by Hanny van Arkel).
The Royal Observatory Greenwich, in early autumn colours (picture by Hanny van Arkel).
Waiting outside, with the invitation (picture by Hanny van Arkel).
It was nice to be on top of this hill (again) and to see how many tourists it still attracts at this time of day. Eventually they all wandered back down though, so it was easier to take a few pictures. As the Sun was finally on its way to set on this beautiful day, we went in for a great view of the night sky in the observatory’s planetarium dome. In the hallway we noticed a screen showing random tweets about the event. (Note to self: people actually read those silly inklings you utter in the digital world).
It was great to see Max Alexander and to catch up with almost the entire Sky at Night team. I chatted with the ever charming Jon (Culshaw), who then introduced me to Mark Thomson. Mark thought I was one of the photographers, but I’d sent him ‘my’ picture later, which explained my connection I think. Anyway. Marek Kukula and Maggie Aderin-Pocock did a great job presenting the evening and I fully agreed with the jury – although they must have had a difficult job.
To see overall winner Mark Gee’s ‘Guiding Light to the Stars’ and all the other winners, have a look at the museum’s website. Here you can also already submit your contribution for next year’s awards. At the end of the evening, we managed to lose the press guys (not on purpose), but according to Geoff we ended up in the nicer pub. We had taken along the one Dutch guy, André van der Hoeven, who was shortlisted with his deep sky image!
I hadn’t realised how big the event was. There were contributions from 49 countries! It was a very inspiring evening indeed and hopefully I will be able to make it next year.
The Wolfe statue on top of the hill (picture by Hanny van Arkel).
Inside the observatory (picture by Jules Wilkinson).
8 Comments
Great stuff. Like the pic on the staircase btw
A memorable evening – hope we can repeat it next year!
Thanks Geoff and here’s to next year!
Nice (as always!) piece of writing, Hanny….I don’t think me “poor” fellow astrophotographer André realises yet what has, ever so pleasantly, hit him when you took him to the “Galaxy zoo pub”….”Zoo-members” are a more dangerous lot than the Borg from Startrek…with this essential difference….it is so good to be assimilated into “the Galaxy zoo hive”! ….Tomorrow on my merry way to ASTRON, wish me less nerves, please..ha..ha!! Het ga je goed, Groetjezzz
Break a leg Jan, fellow Zooite!
Oh look what I just stumbled upon:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24131917
Hmmm, there are indeed a heck of a lot worse things in life “to stumble upon”…and now there is an understatement!!Oh..and..ah…(no) surprise, (no) surprise, I Have just returned from a, just like the last time with you, wonderful time in “ASTRON-heaven”!!!
Good stuff, Jan
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