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)

Aerial acrobat Schindler, notorious for his foolhardy stunts, practising one of his tricks listing out of the vertical, from a Klemp plane piloted by Richard Perlia. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1927

A performer is seen floating in mid-air as he holds onto a moving bus during the International Magic Festival in Luoyang, Henan province, China September 11, 2016. (Photo by Reuters/China Daily)

Aerialist Erin Blaire, 33, performs a hair hanging trick for a photographer while hanging from a metal bar on a subway platform on March 14, 2023 in New York City. Erin Blaire, originally from Vermont, has lived in New York City for eight years and has been performing her aerial hair routine for the last three. The origin of hair hanging is believed to have originated in China, according to reports, and is a closely guarded circus trick passed from mentor to mentee. Although it is possible to find the technique and secrets online it is most-likely not how professional performers learned the skillset, and not how Blaire did either. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

“Tiger and Turtle–Magic Mountain” by German art duo Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth is a walkable sculpture shaped like a roller coaster. Visitors can stroll along the track (except for the loop sections). The 69 foot tall sculpture is located in Wanheim Duisburg, Germany.

A guest poses with a magic wand during a soft opening and media tour of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park at the Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California in this picture taken March 22, 2016. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Reuters)

Street artist JR poses in front the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. For his latest bold project, street artist JR is creating an eye-tricking installation at the Louvre Museum that makes it seem as if the huge glass pyramid at the heart of the courtyard has disappeared. (Photo by Francois Mori/AP Photo)