A woman participates in the “Carnaval na Central” block party in Rio. (Photo by Felipe Dana/Associated Press)

Leilani Franco has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest human backbend walk, traveling in a backbend position a distance of 20 meters (65 ft 7.2 in) in a time of 10.05 seconds. (Photo by PA Wire)

Afghan air force 2nd Lt. Niloofar Rhmani walks the flight line at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, prior to her graduation from undergraduate pilot training, on May 13, 2013. Rhmani made history on May 14, when she became the first female to successfully complete undergraduate pilot training and earn the status of pilot in more than 30 years. She will continue her service as she joins the Kabul Air Wing as a Cessna 208 pilot. (Photo by Senior Airman Scott Saldukas/USAF)

Audrey Tautou poses at a photo call during The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at at Palais des Festivals on May 14, 2013 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Valery Hache/AFP Photo)

West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino (front) is challenged by Manchester City's Fernandinho during their English Premier League soccer match at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England December 4, 2013. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Reuters)

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.