Gorgeous galaxies and stunning stars make up this selection of pictures from the shortlisted entries for this year’s Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year award. The winners will be announced on 15 September, and an exhibition of the winning images will be will be displayed in a free exhibition at the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Centre from 17 September. Here: “Seven Magic Points”. The rusty red swirls of the circular, iron sculpture Seven Magic Points in Brattebergan, Norway mirror the rippling aurora above. (Photo by Rune Engebø/Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016/National Maritime Museum)

Gold medalist Jesper Pedersen of Norway with silver medalist Rene de Silvestro of Italy and bronze medalist Liang Zilu of China are seen during the flower ceremony for the Para Alpine Skiing, Men's Giant Slalom Sitting on March 10, 2022. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

A soldier helps another with her ear protection at the Terningmoen Camp in Elverum, Norway on March 23, 2017. Soldiers demonstrate their skills and tactics during a contract drill as they train to become part of the world's first all-female special forces unit, the Jegertroppen or “hunter troops”. (Photo by Carolina Reid/NBC News)

Female winner Ane Guro Moen at Hardangervidda Marathon on September 2, 2017 in Eidfjord, Norway. Hardangervidda Marathon goes through parts of the National Park of Hardangervidda, passing through glaciers and waterfalls. (Photo by Kai-Otto Melau/Getty Images)

Czech Republic's Tomas Machac in action against Norway's Casper Ruud during their men's singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2023. (Photo by Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

Tiril Eckhoff of Norway in action during the Women's Biathlon 4x6km Relay race at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre at the Beijing ​2022 Olympic Games, Zhangjiakou, China, 16 February 2022. (Photo by Martin Divísek/EPA/EFE)

A spent cartridge pops out of the rifle of Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, of Norway, during warmup before the Women 7.5 km Sprint competition at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, Germany, Friday, February 10, 2023. (Photo by Matthias Schrader/AP Photo)