Readers’ images: the best nebula astrophotos

Nebulae make for some of the most beautiful astrophotos. These glowing cosmic clouds of dust and gas are often illuminated by the radiation from hot, young stars burning brightly. The result is incredible and etheral deep-sky objects ripe for capture by astro imagers across the world.

Just like meteorological clouds viewed from Earth, people often see familiar shapes in nebulae and many have acquired informal names throughout the years based on their appearance.

Below is a selection of some of the best astrophotographs of nebulae sent into to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

If you would like to submit your own images, find out how to do so here.