The Royal Observatory just announced its Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2013 winners. Australian photographer Mark Gee was chosen among a thousand amateur and professional photographers around the globe to win the top title. His work is part of an exhibition of the winning photographers, which opened on Sept. 19 at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Royal Observatory shared with us the winners and notable mentions of the competition. Their descriptions of the prizewinners can be found below the images.

Polar frame, by Dmitry Kokh, Russia. When Kokh’s boat approached the small island of Kolyuchin in the Russian High Arctic, which had been abandoned by humans since 1992, he was surprised to spot movement in one of the houses. Binoculars revealed polar bears – more than 20 in total – exploring the ghost town. Dmitry used a low-noise drone to document them. (Photo by Dmitry Kokh/Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022)

Cosplayers wearing face masks pose for a picture at the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference (ChinaJoy) in Shanghai, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China on July 31, 2020. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

Servicewomen march during a rehearsal for the Independence Day military parade in central Kiev, Ukraine on August 20, 2018. (Photo by Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

A Chicago Police Officer runs toward gunfire as looters break into downtown stores in the early hours of the morning on August 10, 2020. (Photo by RMV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Race-goers enjoy a drink during the “Ladies Day” at the Epsom Derby in Epsom Downs, Britain, 02 June 2023. The Epsom Derby Festival of horse racing takes place on 02 and 03 June 2023. (Photo by Neil Hall/EPA)

Young Muslim worshippers stand in the rain at the shrine of the 12th-century Sunni cleric Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (Gilani) in Baghdad as people gather to perform the prayers for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as observed locally on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP Photo)

A soldier makes a “heart hands” gesture from inside a tank during the parade in Washington on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)