The competition is run by Royal Observatory Greenwich sponsored by Insight Investment and in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine. This year astrophotographers from 91 countries sent in more than 4,200 spectacular entries. Here: The Milky Way rises above an isolated lighthouse in Tasmania. Shot by James Stone of Australia. (Photo by James Stone/Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2018)

Yulin, a city in southern China, celebrates the summer solstice by throwing a festival that involves the slaughter and consumption of as many as 10,000 dogs. Not everyone in China supports such practices, however; 65-year-old Yang Xiaoyun, a retired teacher who runs an animal shelter in Tianjin, traveled more than 2,400 km (1,500 miles) and spent more than 7,000 yuan ($1,100 or €990) to save 100 dogs from certain death.

Vast collection of fine art photography about to open at Pier 24 in Manhattan. One of the world's most prestigious annual photography events, The Photography Show is the longest-running and foremost exhibition dedicated to the photographic medium, offering a wide range of museum-quality work, including contemporary, modern, and 19th-century photographs as well as photo-based art, video, and new media. Here: Les Trois Femmes Deux, 2018. (Photo by Mickalene Thomas/Courtesy of Yancey Richardson Gallery, New York)

A 10 week old stuffed Tiger cub and a Tortoise are displayed in a cabinet at an “Endangered Species” exhibition at London Zoo on September 12, 2011 in London, England. The exhibition is organised by “Operation Charm”, a Metropolitan Police partnership aimed at tackling the illegal trade in endangered wildlife and runs for one month at London Zoo. Items include the tooth of a sperm whale, Ivory carvings, and a stuffed Tiger. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Kenza Drider, 32, announces her candidacy for France's 2012 Presidential election on September 22, 2011 in Meaux, France. Drider is the first French Muslim woman to wear a niqab and run for President despite France's nationwide ban on the face veil, which today saw 32-year-old mother of three Hind Ahmas and Najate Nait Ali both being fined after being caught wearing the niqab in public in the Parsisan district of Meaux back in May when the law first came into force. (Photo by Franck Prevel/Getty Images)

A pet horse tethered on land known as “The Cracker” in Tipton that may be seized by bailiffs on October 10, 2011 in Dudley, England. Horse lovers in Tipton are battling the local council over the tradition of keeping their horses tethered on public land near their homes. Locals say tradition that has been in existence for generations and believe it stems from the age of the canal when many local men used their horses to tow canal barges along the industrial Black Country canals. After a spate of horses running free Sandwell Council are now enforcing the law and impounding tethered horses. Locals are planning their next protest with a horse drive to the council headquarters to try and save their traditions. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

An iCub robot built by the Italian Institute of Technology tracks a ball in the Robotville exhibition at the Science Museum on November 29, 2011 in London, England. The Science Museum's Robotville exhibition showcases 20 unique and cutting-edge robots from European research laboratories, it is free to enter and runs from December 1–4, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)