The contest, arguably the biggest astrophotography competition in the world, is run by the Royal Observatory Greenwich in England and is now in its 16th year.
This time around, photographers from 58 different countries submitted more than 3,500 awe-inspiring entries, in categories featuring our sun and moon, planets and comets, skyscapes, galaxies, stars and nebulas and other extraterrestrial sights. All hoping to scoop the top prize of £10,000 ($12,750).
A panel of art and astronomy experts judges the contest. The overall winners will be announced on 12 September and the winning images will be displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in London from 14 September.
Below is a selection of some of the shortlisted images that have stood out to the judges so far in this year’s competition.
