Ryan Imperio crowned Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024

Royal Museums Greenwich announced that American astrophotographer Ryan Imperio has been awarded the prestigious title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 for his exceptional image, Distorted Shadows of the Moon's Surface Created by an Annular Eclipse. This breathtaking photograph, captured during the annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023, is a masterful display of precision, skill, and creativity, showcasing the elusive phenomenon known as "Baily's beads." The image, a composite of 33 photos taken over a brief 10-second window, secured Imperio’s win in one of the most challenging and competitive photography contests in the world.

Photo credit: Ryan Imperio

Solar eclipses, especially annular eclipses, present a unique challenge for photographers. In these events, the Moon is slightly farther from the Earth, leaving a thin ring of sunlight visible around the edges - often referred to as the "ring of fire." Capturing the brief moment when sunlight peeks through the Moon's rugged surface - creating the appearance of bright beads, or "Baily's beads" - requires not only precise timing but also technical prowess and patience. For Imperio, the solution involved careful planning and a highly accurate setup, including the use of an atomic clock to synchronize his shots down to the millisecond.

Ryan Imperio crowned Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 with his photograph of the Sun

Imperio’s winning photograph displays an intricate sequence of light and shadow, as the Moon’s uneven topography casts fleeting beams of light from behind its edges. The moment was captured as the Moon crossed in front of the Sun during the annular phase of the eclipse, which was visible from parts of the United States and other regions across the Americas. Imperio, recognizing the rarity of the event, traveled to Odessa, Texas, in search of clear skies and optimal conditions. His dedication and expertise allowed him to secure a perfect vantage point at the University of Texas Permian Basin campus, where he was able to witness and photograph the eclipse at its peak.

This achievement was made all the more remarkable by Imperio’s unique background in photography. His journey began not with celestial bodies, but with human eyes, as he worked as an ophthalmic photographer capturing medical images of the eye’s structure. His professional experience ultimately led him to explore astrophotography after several of his patients encouraged him to expand his portfolio beyond the clinic. The 2017 total solar eclipse marked a turning point for Imperio, when he purchased his first DSLR camera and began experimenting with landscape and night sky photography. His fascination with the interplay of light and celestial bodies has driven him ever since, culminating in his latest masterpiece.

A sequence of images showing the progress of an annular eclipse

Photo credit: Ryan Imperio

The photo, praised by judges as an "impressive dissection of the fleeting few seconds" during the annular eclipse, offers viewers a fresh perspective on a phenomenon often overlooked by eclipse photographers. Judge Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn noted that the image was both captivating and technically brilliant, a testament to Imperio’s deep understanding of the subject.

In addition to his technical skill, Imperio’s keen eye for detail and artistic flair shine through in the final composite, which features the Moon’s jagged silhouette against the backdrop of the Sun’s glowing ring. His meticulous approach, from aligning his camera’s tracking mount to using a solar filter, ensured that every element of the shot was perfectly executed. The result is an image that not only documents the celestial event but also highlights the Moon's topography in a way that is rarely seen.

Imperio expressed his gratitude to Royal Museums Greenwich and the competition judges, as well as the broader astrophotography community. He hopes his work will inspire others to venture into the world of astronomy and photography, encouraging them to seek out and capture the wonders of the universe. He added that winning this prestigious title was a career highlight, reflecting his passion for the craft and his admiration for the natural world.

The winning image is now on display at the National Maritime Museum as part of the annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition. Visitors can view Imperio’s work alongside other stunning entries, showcasing the vastness and beauty of the cosmos as seen through the lenses of photographers from around the world.

"When I found out a 'ring of fire' annular eclipse was going to pass through the United States on 14 October 2023, I knew it was an opportunity not to be missed. The eclipse could be seen from Oregon to Texas with the path of annularity continuing towards Central and South America. Up until a few days before the eclipse I was anxiously watching the cloud forecast when my friend and I decided to book last-minute flights to Texas, which seemed to be the best option for a clear sky. We ended up in Odessa at the University of Texas Permian Basin campus. Despite setting up the tracker during the daytime with no view of Polaris, I was able to achieve a decent polar alignment using an app and compass. I only needed to reposition the camera about every 20 minutes to centre the Sun in the frame," said Ryan.

"What an innovative way to map the Moon's topography at the point of third contact during an annular solar eclipse. This is an impressive dissection of the fleeting few seconds during the visibility of the Bailey's beads. This image left me captivated and amazed. Exceptional work deserving of high recognition," said Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn, competition judge.

Ryan fitted a solar filter to his lens and attached his camera to a tracking mount, which gently rotates the camera at the same rate as the Sun moves across the sky

Photo credit: Ryan Imperio

A composite Ryan created using both ends of annularity

Photo credit: Ryan Imperio