The Royal Observatory in Greenwich has released its final set of images for this year's Astronomy's Photographer of the Year contest. Ranging from star trails and dust clouds to auroras and meteor streaks, this year's best photos are guaranteed to instill a sense of wonder.
Top image: Justin Ng. A bright meteor streaks across the night sky over Mount Bromo, an active volcano in Indonesia.
The winners will be announced on September 17, 2014. The overall winner will receive $2,500, while winners of each of the different sub-categories will receive $850. All winning images will appear at a subsequent exhibition at the Royal Observatory. Here are some of our favorite submissions.
All images Royal Observatory Greenwich via the dedicated Flickr account. Individual photographers are credited below each photograph.
Father and son observing Comet Pan-Starrs in Massachusetts
Credit: Chris Cook
An aurora from a plane
Credit: Paul Williams
The Moon and Jupiter
Credit: Sebastian Guillermaz
The Rho Ophiuchi multiple star system
Credit: Rolf Wahl Olsen
An aurora over Steinsvik beach in Norway
Credit: Tommy Richardson
Old Faithful erupts as the Moon partially eclipses the Sun
Credit: Robert Howell
Cassiopeia, the Heart Nebula
Credit: Ivan Eder
An aurora as seen from a lava cave in Iceland
Credit: Ingolfur Bjarmundsson
Northern Lights over Troms, Norway
Credit: Claus Possberg
Star trails over Mar de Ajo beach in Argentina
Credit: Sebastian Guillermaz
A coronal mass ejection lights up the sky in Norway
Credit: Ole Christian Salomonsen