When you look at the world we live in through a camera lens, you can see that it is really a rather magnificent place. The Royal Photographic Society’s inaugural Science Photographer of the Year celebrates this fact with some astounding images captured by photographers of all ages and experience.

Advertisement

The shortlist of the winning images has been announced, a selection of which you can see below, with the winner to be revealed at a special free exhibition at the Science Museum in October 2019. The exhibition will run until 5 January 2020, and you can book tickets at sciencemuseum.org.uk/science-photographer.

Lovell Telescope Series 1C

Lovell Telescope Series 1C A study of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. © Marge Bradshaw
A study of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. © Marge Bradshaw

Safety Corona

Safety Corona A safety pin connected to a high-tension AC generator, which generates the corona glow around the pin through ionisation and the emission of energy as photons. © Richard Germain
A safety pin connected to a high-tension AC generator, which generates the corona glow around the pin through ionisation and the emission of energy as photons. © Richard Germain

Mapping Oxygen

Mapping 1, Post Exertional Malaise – focussing on discovering the research behind Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. © Yasmin Crawford
Mapping 1, Post Exertional Malaise – focussing on discovering the research behind Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. © Yasmin Crawford
See more stunning photo competitions:

NGC7000 North American Nebula

The North America Nebula, NGC7000, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb, so named due to its resemblance in shape to that of the continent of North America. © Dave Watson
The North America Nebula, NGC7000, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb, so named due to its resemblance in shape to that of the continent of North America. © Dave Watson

Calmness of Eternity

Gosaikunda high-mountain lake, Himalayan mountains, Nepal, taken from 4400m, showing the Milky Way in the night sky. © Yevhen Samuchenko
Gosaikunda high-mountain lake, Himalayan mountains, Nepal, taken from 4400m, showing the Milky Way in the night sky. © Yevhen Samuchenko

Soap bubble structures

A study of the behaviour of soap bubble structures, a useful tool in many areas of research including materials science and 'packing' - how things fit together. © Kym Cox
A study of the behaviour of soap bubble structures, a useful tool in many areas of research including materials science and 'packing' - how things fit together. © Kym Cox

Confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum)

Confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) A scanning electron micrograph of a confused flour beetle, a pest in stored grain and flour products. © David Spears
A scanning electron micrograph of a confused flour beetle, a pest in stored grain and flour products. © David Spears

Super Moon Lunar Eclipse January 2019

Super Moon Lunar Eclipse January 2019 Image of the Super Moon Lunar Eclipse that occurred on 21 January 2019, when the eclipse reached full totality with the Earth between the Sun and Moon. © Mary Anne Chilton
Image of the Super Moon Lunar Eclipse that occurred on 21 January 2019, when the eclipse reached full totality with the Earth between the Sun and Moon. © Mary Anne Chilton
Read more about photography:

Stag beetle

Stag beetle Light microscopy of a stag beetle. © Viktor Sýkora
Light microscopy of a stag beetle. © Viktor Sýkora

The Science of (Every) Day Life

A polarized light photomicrograph of the sugar crystallization of a drop of Aperol that has been left to dry on a glass slide. © Bernardo Cesare
A polarized light photomicrograph of the sugar crystallization of a drop of Aperol that has been left to dry on a glass slide. © Bernardo Cesare
Advertisement

Follow Science Focus on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flipboard

Authors

Alexander McNamaraOnline Editor, BBC Science Focus

Alexander is the former Online Editor at BBC Science Focus.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Sponsored Deals

BBC Science Focus Magazine subscription offer

Spring Savings!

  • Try your first 6 issues for just £9.99 when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine.
  • Risk - free offer! Cancel at any time when you subscribe via Direct Debit.
  • FREE UK delivery.
  • Stay up to date with the latest developments in the worlds of science and technology.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Advertisement