About this Event
Secrets of an astrophotographer
Coinciding with the launch of the Royal Astronomical Society’s new photography competition RAStroPhoto, this special, visually-led talk will explore the meeting point of art, science and technology in astronomical photography. J-P Metsävainio, one of the world's most pre-eminent astrophotographers, will use a selection of his images to describe how he photographs the hidden structures of the cosmos from his private observatory in northern Finland, close to the Arctic Circle. He will also offer tips and tricks to amateur astrophotographers thinking of entering RAStroPhoto, including practical advice on how familiar celestial subjects can be seen in new ways by reconsidering framing, orientation, scale and context.
RAStroPhoto Competition
RAStroPhoto is a new photography competition being launched to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, one of the world's largest and most prestigious astronomy journals. It will be open to everyone worldwide from 1 November 2026 – entry is free and all skill levels are welcome. Professional equipment is not required.
The competition will showcase images taken by amateur astronomers and citizen scientists that capture the beauty of the cosmos, the night sky, and the science or scientists that help us understand the universe.
To sign up to receive news about RAStroPhoto and find out about the categories, visit the competition website at www.rastrophoto.ras.ac.uk
About J-P Metsävainio
J-P Metsävainio is an astrophotographer and visual artist based in Oulu, Finland whose work has been widely published and exhibited internationally. For nearly three decades, he has worked under the extreme conditions of the northern sky, developing long-term photographic projects in which scientific observation serves as the foundation for artistic expression. While visually striking as works of art, the images also meet the criteria of scientific imaging: they are constructed from real astronomical light data and document cosmic structures as they truly exist.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Royal Astronomical Society, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
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