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)

“The Queen” painted fibreglass by artist John Humphreys is displayed backdropped by other works which feature in this year's Summer Exhibition on it's 250th year at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The Summer Exhibition has been held since 1769, with around 1300 works on display this year and most of them available for purchase. It runs from June 12 until August 19. (Photo by Matt Dunham/AP Photo)

An NHS worker walks past a banner supporting NHS staff outside Salford Royal Hospital on March 22, 2020 in Manchester, UK. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 13,069 lives and infecting more than 308,592 people. There have now been 5,018 diagnosed cases in the UK and 233 deaths. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

A person walks past graffiti by arstist selfnamed El Primo de Bansky (the cousin of Bansky) of former Spanish King Juan Carlos in Valencia, Spain, 05 August 2020. The Spanish Royal Household has announced that Emeritus King Juan Carlos I has proclaimed his intended decision to move abroad so as to not interfere in the image of the Spanish monarchy due to his alleged implication in a Swiss offshore account investigation. (Photo by Biel Aliño/EPA/EFE)

Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration – Dinner with the King and Queen of Sweden. “Sverigemiddagen (the Dinner of Sweden), an annual event held at the Royal Castle in Stockholm, celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their local communities. Invited guests are honoured for their achievements and are hosted by the King and Queen of Sweden at a grand dinner”. (Photo by Jonas Borg/Pink Lady Food Awards 2023)

From towering elephants to tiny insects, photographers will be offering a rare insight into the natural world at this year’s Wildscreen Photography Festival 2014. The festival, formerly known as WildPhotos, is the UK’s largest wildlife photography show. The Wildscreen Photography Festival 2014 will be taking place between 24-26 October at London’s Royal Geographical Society. (Photo by Sam Hobson/Wildscreen Photography Festival 2014)

Prince Philippe and Princess Letizia of Spain meet with Israeli president Shimon Peres at the presidential residence on April 11, 2011 in Jerusalem, Israel. The Spanish Royal couple is on their first official visit to Israel together. The Prince's parents, the King and Queen of Spain last visited in 1993.

1974: American boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, strikes an aggressive pose at a press conference on November 29, 1974. (Photo by Harry Dempster/Express/Getty Images); American actor Will Smith at the Royal Premiere of the film Ali in London on December 11, 2001. Smith starred as Muhammad Ali in the film. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)