The contest received over 500 submissions last year, and organisers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich are hoping for more of the same.

The competition’s four main categories are: Earth and Space, Our Solar System, Deep Space and Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. This year there will also be a category for the best photo containing a person, or people, to celebrate mankind’s connection to the night sky. And a special prize has been created for the best astro photo taken by a newcomer.

Entries for this year’s competition should be submitted by 16 July 2010 and you can submit photos taken in the two years preceding the closing date. Photos are uploaded to Flickr, allowing website visitors to comment on them for the duration of the contest.

It couldn’t be easier to enter. Just visit www.nmm.ac.uk/astrophoto

Among the judges this year will be Graham Southorn and Will Gater from Sky at Night Magazine, which is once again serving as the competition’s official media partner. It will be their tricky task to pick winning images, which will be exhibited at Royal Observatory Greenwich from 10 September 2010 until 9 January 2011in what promises to be a spectacular display to be admired by many thousands of visitors.