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.

Central to The Capture Site on the R103 in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands – where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1963 – is a sculptural installation by Johannesburg artist Marco Cianfanelli. When viewed from a distance, the 50 painted laser-cut steel columns form the image of Madiba’s face. Click on the image below for more on The Capture Site.

Chris Guise is an artist, mechanical engineer and bonsai enthusiast from Maidenhead, England; and is interested in bonsai, Stirling engines, cathedrals, trees etc.
‘Bag End Bonsai Trayscape’: A Bonsai Baggins Hobbit Home is an amazing and creative creation by Artist Chris Guise. See the images below for extensive detailed work.

“Rivers Forgotten” is a journey through the passages and portals of the underground waterways that lie unseen below cities. Self-taught photographer Jeremy Kai brings these forgotten landscapes to light. Photo: Beneath the Toronto area, 2011. (Photo by Jeremy Kai)

Unforgiving temperatures of up to 60℃ (140℉) beat down on these saltminers on a daily basis. The mines, situated in the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia, stretch across 38,000 sq miles and at their lowest point are more than 300ft below sea level. Joel Santos travelled to capture the area’s dry, brutal beauty. Here: Dromedaries and donkeys are used to transport the salt. (Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images)

Ann Carrington has a penchant for collecting old things. Her treasure is other peoples trash! For the past few years, she has been collecting old pearl necklaces from junk shops and boot fairs with a view to building the awesomely majestic galleons below.