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)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with Giuliana, a fan from Brazil, as he arrives with the Portuguese team at Lisbon airport to depart for the World Cup in Qatar, Friday, November 18, 2022. (Photo by Armando Franca/AP Photo)

Guillermo Rodriguez and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Kate Upton arrive at Club SI Swimsuit hosted by the Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace at the Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace on February 16, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

A giraffe was captured creating a dust cloud while running in front of a perfect African sunset in Amboseli National Park, Kenya in the first decade of November 2022. (Photo by Edgard Berben/Media Drum Images)

Maddy Ashford and fellow wrestler and trainer Paul Sargeant at a training session at The Lancashire Wrestling Federation in Chorley, UK on October 9, 2024. Maddy Ashford is still at school and is a wrestler taking the ring by storm and has competed in 40 WWE-style competitions in just 10 months. (Photo by William Lailey/South West News Service)

Elena Reid of USA looks on with bloody face due to a cut during the Women's WIBF Flyweight Championship fight between Regina Halmich and Elena Reid at the Boerderlandhalle on December 3, 2005 in Magdeburg, Germany. (Photo by Christian Fischer/Getty Images)