14:00 09 August 2011
With the winner of the 2011 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition to be announced next month, New Scientist brings you a selection of the best entries. Judged by a panel of experts including Patrick Moore, the winning images will be on display at the Royal Observatory, London, from 9 September until February 2012.
Image 1 of 7
Star trails are photographed by pointing a camera skywards and waiting. As the Earth rotates, stars produce circular trails.
This image was shot over Yosemite falls in Yosemite National Park, California. The long exposure gives the illusion of daylight, but it's actually the light of a full moon that is creating a rainbow in the mist. The image was constructed from 500 individual photographs shot over several hours.
(Image: Jeffrey Sullivan)