KIELDER Observatory has launched a competition to find the UK’s best astro photographer.

Last week, the observatory announced an independent astro photography competition that will take place this summer.

The Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016 was launched in response to the recent growth in popularity of astro photography.

It is also in line with Kielder Observatory’s new ‘Art in Space’ initiative.

‘ Art in Space’ is part of #STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) promoted by Kielder Observatory to include arts in their public outreach.

The competition will demonstrate creative qualities and skills from a range of night time photographers across the UK.

The competition is open to UK-based photographers of any age or skill and participants can enter images in retrospect up to two years prior to the competition opening date.

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016 promises to be ‘photographer friendly’ where no ‘rights-grabbing’ of photos will take place.

The official social media hashtag to be used in conjunction with all social media posts is #KOAPY2016.

Judges, full prize funds and exhibition dates are yet to be announced.

Staff and volunteers from Kielder Observatory have a wide ranging level of photographic ability from beginner to expert.

Founder and director Gary Fildes is an expert in both wide field (milky way and landscapes) and deep field (galaxies and nebula).

He is constantly delighted to see imagery shared by guests and friends on social media.

Other staff members include award-winning photographers and skilled amateurs who own dedicated night sky DSLRs.

In conjunction with this competition, Kielder Observatory runs monthly astro photography classes which consistently sell out.

On those evenings its ‘secrets’ to taking photographs in the dark by referring to its famous ‘10 Step Guide to Astro Photography’.

The competition is open for entries throughout may via the website www.kielderobservatory.org