Every year the Royal Observatory Greenwich hosts a photography competition to honor the best astronomical pictures of the year. This year there were, as in years past, many beautiful and wondrous views of the universe. But now the time is nigh, the votes are in, and over the next few days I'll introduce the laureates and their winning entry to our little community. Tonight we look at the winner in the category Our Solar System, Damian Peach.
Our Solar System
Pictures At an Exhibition—Promenade
In the category Our Solar System Damian Peach of West Sussex, UK stunned the competition with his image of Jupiter taken September 12th, 2010. The Royal Observatory introduces the remarkable Mr. Peach in the video below.
Damian: far from everyday life from Royal Observatory Greenwich on Vimeo.
Damian's describes how he came to find his avocation on his website...
My Interest in Astronomy took flight at a young age while at primary school. The first books i ever read on Astronomy were the introductory "Man and Space" by Neil Ardley, and also "Astronomy" by Ian Nicolson and "Travellers in Space and Time" by Sir Patrick Moore all of which i still have. It was soon after that i got my first instrument - a pair of 8 x 30 binoculars with which i learnt my way around the sky. I recall vividly my first views of M31 and Jupiter using them. I also had a small 10 x 30 Russian spotting scope which i used during to watch the Jovian moons (which i still use today!.)
Damian's winning entry is a stunner, but it wasn't his first striking image. Also taken in 2010 was a video...
I'm sure you all recognize our neighbor planet Mars.
Pictures At an Exhibition—Gnomus
So what
was his winning entry?
This photograph was taken as part of a long series of images taken over a three-week period from the island of Barbados in the Caribbean – a location where the atmospheric clarity is frequently excellent, allowing very clear and detailed photographs of the planets to be obtained.
Jupiter with lo and Ganymede, September 2010 by Damian Peach (UK)
What the judges say:
Pete Lawrence says: ‘This is a truly incredible image of the planet Jupiter. Damian has even managed to capture detail on two of Jupiter’s moons! It’s truly astonishing to think that this was taken from the ground by an amateur astronomer using his own equipment.’
Marek Kukula says: ‘There were so many beautiful images this year but this one really stood out for me. It looks like a Hubble picture. The detail in Jupiter’s clouds and storms is incredible, and the photographer has also managed to capture two of the planet’s moons. An amazing image.’
Links
Astronomy Picture of the Year
Astronomy Picture of the Year (Flicker)
Damian Peach's Views of the Solar System