Award-winning astronomy photography on exhibit at the Vero Beach Museum of Art

On View: May 26 – September 16

NEWS RELEASE

The Vero Beach Museum of Art presents an exciting selection of approximately 50 photographs of celestial spectacle chosen from entries to the photography competition Astronomy Photographer of the Year by the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London, England.

Each year since 2009, the Royal Observatory in London has invited entries in categories such as aurorae, galaxies, moon, sun, people and space, planets, comets and asteroids, skyscapes, and stars and nebulae.

In 2017, a judging panel comprised of curators, astronomers, and artists chose from 3,800 entries taken by astrophotographers from over 90 countries, providing a truly worldwide selection in each category.

Russian photographer Artem Mironov beat thousands of amateur and professional photographers from around the globe to win the title Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2017 and his image took pride of place in the exhibition of winning photographs at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and is one of the many astonishing photographs displayed in this dazzling exhibition.

The judges were enthralled by Mironov’s sumptuous image depicting the vibrant blues and pinks of the swirling dust and gas clouds in the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex, situated approximately 400 light years away from our planet. Taken over three nights from a farm in Namibia, Mironov has captured the sprawling stellar nursery that recent x-ray and infrared studies have revealed to be a home to a cluster of more than 300 protostars. Competition judge and Royal Observatory Public Astronomer, Dr Marek Kukula said: “There’s an astonishing richness of color and structure in this gorgeous image. It’s a popular part of the sky for astrophotographers but this image shows it to us in a fresh light and there’s a sense of mystery in the churning clouds of gas and dust which reminds us that there’s still so much to discover out there. A dazzling corner of our galaxy captured perfectly”.

In addition, the Museum will be offering a series of interpretative space inspired activities including a summer film series starting June 19^th; a Star Party event for kids and families on July 20^that 7pm; and a lecture from Professor Jon Bell of Indian River State College, Pictures From Space: Art and Astronomy on August 8 at 10:30am.

Museum admission fees apply: $10 Adults, $9 Seniors (65+); Students with ID, Youth 17 and under, Museum members, and active military with ID and their families receive free admission.

Museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 4:30 pm; and Sundays, 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Note the Galleries are Closed on Mondays during the summer.

For further information call (772) 231-0707 or visit the Museum’s website at http://www.vbmuseum.org

The Vero Beach Museum of Art is located at 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963. Directions: From I-95 (Exit 147), from U.S. One, and Indian River Boulevard, take State Road 60 east over the Merrill Barber Bridge to beachside, turn right at first traffic light into Riverside Park.

About the Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian and one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. Since its founding in 1675, Greenwich has been at the centre of the measurement of time and space. Today the Observatory galleries and Peter Harrison Planetarium help unravel the extraordinary phenomena of time, space and astronomy.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is part of Royal Museums Greenwich which also incorporates the National Maritime Museum, the 17th-century Queen’s House and Cutty Sark. Royal Museums Greenwich works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. This unique collection of museums and heritage buildings, which form a key part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomes over two and a half million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre of education and research

Museum programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, as well as The Plansoen Foundation and Holmes Family Foundation. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is a membership-based not for profit 501 (C) 3 organization pursuant to chapter 212, Florida Statutes.