The Royal Observatory in Greenwich has announced the shortlist for it's 'Insight investment astronomy photographer of the year' competition.

The competition, which is sponsored by Insight Investment and in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine, is now in its eleventh year.

It has broken the record number of entries once more, receiving over 4,600 entries from enthusiastic amateurs and professional photographers, taken from 90 countries across the globe.

The spectacular Milky Way over the picturesque Bavarian mountain, Herzogstand, a colourful explosion of the Southern Lights at the east coast of Tasmania, the remarkable Horsehead Nebula and the Flame Nebula, are just a few of the entries this year.

Shortlisted images from this year’s entrants include an Aurora shaped like a bird spreading its wings and flying over a destroyed military hydroelectric station in Murmansk, a bright display of noctilucent clouds as seen from Thurso Beach in the north of Scotland and the remnants of an 1860s pier illuminated by the majestic purple hues of our galaxy.

The competition’s judges include renowned comedian and keen amateur astronomer, Jon Culshaw; Art Editor of BBC Sky at Night Magazine Steve Marsh and a host of experts from the worlds of art and astronomy.

The winners of the competition’s nine categories and two special prizes will be announced on September 12 at a special award ceremony at the National Maritime Museum.

Images will be displayed in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum from September 13, alongside a selection of exceptional shortlisted images.

Winners and shortlisted entries will also be published in the competition’s official book, available in September from bookstores and online.

Take a look at our gallery above at just a few of the amazing photos.

The awards ceremony can be followed live on Twitter #astrophoto2019.