Shark Nebula Image Wins Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition
An image of the Shark Nebula captured in Kuwait by Ali Alobaidly has won the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced Ali Alobaidly as the winner of its Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition for his striking image of the Shark Nebula. The winning photograph, taken in Kuwait, also secured first place in the Stars and Nebulae category.
The Shark Nebula, a dark nebula formed by interstellar dust dense enough to obscure starlight, is located approximately 650 light years away. Steve Marsh, an art editor at BBC Sky at Night Magazine and one of the competition's judges, praised Alobaidly's image for its "flawless presentation, pin-sharp details and dynamic contrast." Marsh noted that the photograph revealed intricate details within the nebula, even resolving distant galaxies visible through the dust.
Alobaidly, who received a £10,000 prize, expressed hope that his photographs will enhance public engagement with astronomy through science communication and education. He described the award as a "tremendous honour."
The 2026 competition saw nearly 4,000 entries submitted from 66 countries worldwide.