The Christmas Comet

Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the largest international competition of its kind. Organised by the Royal Observatory Greenwich and sponsored by Insight Investment, the competition receives entries from photographers all around the world. It annually showcases the best space photography from a global community of astrophotographers.

I was on my way to photograph the start of the Geminids meteor shower when I came up with this idea – a Christmas-style image of Comet 46P/Wirtanen. I spent some time finding a suitable, snow-covered pine tree. Once I had found it, I started to aim my camera at the comet. It took about 20 exposures before I got the comet spot on.

Tommy Eliassen
+ Read more - Show less