Astronomy Photographer of the Year
12 December 2024 - 27 April 2025
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Book tickets now
Glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns, and silver moons – don’t miss this showcase of the world's greatest space photography.
Landing in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time, Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the largest international competition of its kind, produced by the Royal Museums Greenwich, London, and attracting thousands of entries from around the globe each year.
This 15th edition of the competition includes two dazzling finalists from Aotearoa New Zealand: Chester Hall-Fernandez (‘Fire on the Horizon’, Highly Commended in Aurorae category), and Mike White (‘Passage of a Lunar Eclipse’, shortlisted in Skyscapes category).
The overall winning image was captured by an international trio of amateur astronomers, with Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner, and Yann Sainty collectively named as Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023. Their mysterious deep space photograph ‘Andromeda, Unexpected’ reveals a feature of the nearby Andromeda galaxy that has never been seen before, underlining how even the most familiar parts of the universe still contain countless mysteries.
More than 70 photographs will be on show at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, displayed at their best on brilliant lightboxes. Don’t miss your chance to see this spectacular exhibition – book online now.
Image: Green Snakes ©️ Filip Hrebenda, Astronomy Photographer of the Year finalist. Taken at Vikten beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Terms and Conditions
- Admission tickets are valid for a single visit, and must be used by April 27 2025.
- All sales are final and ticket purchases are nonrefundable. Any changes must be made through the same method as purchase (online or at the Museum’s front desk).
- Tickets may not be re-sold for a premium or used for advertising, promotion or other commercial purposes without written consent of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.
- Last time for entry to Astronomy Photographer of the Year is 4pm, unless otherwise indicated for special events.
- Please retain your sticker as proof of purchase for re-entry on the same day.
- Children under 15 are not permitted entry unless accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
- In the Astronomy Photographer of the Year, you are welcome to take photos and videos for personal, non-commercial use. Please be considerate of other visitors when using your camera.
- One caregiver is given free entry when accompanying disabled persons aged three years or older (children under three years are free) who are requiring assistance. We do ask for suitable supporting documentation and identification e.g. Community Services Card or a letter from a health practitioner. Please let our reception team know on arrival.
- When entry to Astronomy Photographer of the Year is purchased in a bundle with entry to Exscite, entry must be on the same day. Please note that a waitlist may be required for entry to Exscite on busy days.
- Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery reserves the right to refuse admission and/or remove any person, without refund, whose conduct Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery deems inappropriate or who fails to comply with our visitor policies.
- We reserve the right to make changes to these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice.
