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.

Supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) opposition alliance presidential candidate, Adama Barrow attend a campaign rally in Buffer zone, Gambia November 29, 2016. (Photo by Thierry Gouegnon/Reuters)

Filipino children play at a fishing village along the coast of Manila Bay, Philippines, 30 May 2023. As a precaution of approaching Typhoon Mawar, Philippine government authorities have evacuated thousands of residents, imposed a no-sail ban, suspended school classes, and shutdown offices in the northern part of Luzon island, the country's largest and most populous island. (Photo by Francis R. Malasig/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A woman takes a selfie next to a model of Thor during the Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, April 11, 2015. (Photo by Kamran Jebreili/AP Photo)

The Azerbaijan-based artist’s mixed-media installations include pieces entitled “Looking at two cities from one point of view”, “Plastik portret” and “Crisis haha”. Alakbarov carefully positions multicolored acrylic planes, packaging materials, and other objects of assorted shapes and then projects light upon then to create shadow images of beautiful beaches, cities, people, and even words.

Goodwood racegoers run for cover from a sudden rainstorm on Ladies Day, the third day of the horseracing festival at Goodwood Racecourse on July 31, 2025 in Chichester, England. (Photo by The Times)

A young man “painting” the Eiffel Tower. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 9th May 1970

One of the most significant challenges related to cancer in Nepal is the lack of awareness around the prognosis of the disease, as many patients, their families and even healthcare professionals consider cancer to be an incurable disease at any stage. This results in significant delays in bringing patients to hospitals, and high rates of advanced stage cancers and mortality. (Photo by Omar Havana)