We are excited to officially announce the winners of the William Optics Astrophotography Contest! With over 300 participants from around the world, this competition brought together an incredible community of astrophotographers, each showcasing their passion for capturing the cosmos with William Optics telescopes.
Redcat 51 II · Vela Supernova Remannt ( GUM 16 )
" This breathtaking image, captured under a challenging Bortle 6 sky, masterfully showcases a vast supernova remnant with remarkable clarity and depth. Using an impressive 36 hours and 50 minutes of integration, the photographer blends scientific precision with artistic flair, employing an HOO palette and 2x Drizzle Integration to enhance resolution and bring out intricate filamentary details. The processing highlights the vibrant red hydrogen filaments against ethereal blue oxygen wisps, with RGB stars seamlessly blended for a natural starfield. This stunning composition reveals a cosmic tapestry of chaos and rebirth, making it both a technically outstanding and emotionally evocative astrophotograph. "
Redcat 71 · California Nebula ( NGC 1499 )
" This striking image beautifully captures the 100-light-year-wide California Nebula, showcasing its intricate details with a perfect blend of scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. The photographer skillfully combines exposures with Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii filters, creating a glowing masterpiece with warm golden hydrogen hues and subtle blue accents set against a natural starfield. The delicate fusion of these emission lines reveals the nebula's stunning structure, demonstrating expert handling of both equipment and post-processing. This work is a testament to the photographer's technical skill and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved second-place recognition. "
Redcat 51 II · Witch Head Nebula ( IC 2118 )
" This stunning image captures the Witch Head Nebula, a reflection nebula in Eridanus, possibly an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by the bright star Rigel. With a total integration time of 27 hours and 40 minutes across six nights, the photographer skillfully blends scientific precision with artistic charm, creating a rich HaRGB palette. The striking red background from H-alpha is beautifully complemented by ethereal blues and reds, with fine details enhanced through 2x Drizzle and a synthetic luminance from RGB data. This mesmerizing composition showcases both technical expertise and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved third-place spot. "
MiniCat51 · Orion Nebula ( M42 )
" This captivating image of the Orion Nebula beautifully illustrates how a wide-field approach can turn a familiar, beginner-friendly target into something truly extraordinary. Captured from Kansas City's Dark Sky Site, the 7-hour integration showcases both the nebula’s iconic core and its often-overlooked extended structure. The generous field of view provided by the MiniCat51 embraces the full scope of this cosmic masterpiece, while the photographer’s HDR processing perfectly balances the bright Trapezium region with the nebula’s outer details. This work demonstrates the power of wide-field imaging to reveal a more complete and breathtaking story of celestial wonders. "
Gran Turismo 71 · Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus
" This captivating image of Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus offers a stunning deep-space portrait, revealing the intricate beauty of this cosmic bubble through a vivid SHO palette. The rich sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen mapping creates a dynamic interplay of fiery golds and electric blues, giving the nebula a three-dimensional appearance, as though sculpted by interstellar winds. With 46.5 hours of total integration, the image captures the faint, wispy tendrils of ionized gas in remarkable detail, evoking a sense of depth and motion as stellar winds carve through the surrounding space. This masterful composition turns a turbulent celestial phenomenon into a breathtaking visual experience. "
Redcat 51 II · Vela Supernova Remannt ( GUM 16 )
" This breathtaking image, captured under a challenging Bortle 6 sky, masterfully showcases a vast supernova remnant with remarkable clarity and depth. Using an impressive 36 hours and 50 minutes of integration, the photographer blends scientific precision with artistic flair, employing an HOO palette and 2x Drizzle Integration to enhance resolution and bring out intricate filamentary details. The processing highlights the vibrant red hydrogen filaments against ethereal blue oxygen wisps, with RGB stars seamlessly blended for a natural starfield. This stunning composition reveals a cosmic tapestry of chaos and rebirth, making it both a technically outstanding and emotionally evocative astrophotograph. "
Redcat 71 · California Nebula ( NGC 1499 )
" This striking image beautifully captures the 100-light-year-wide California Nebula, showcasing its intricate details with a perfect blend of scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. The photographer skillfully combines exposures with Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii filters, creating a glowing masterpiece with warm golden hydrogen hues and subtle blue accents set against a natural starfield. The delicate fusion of these emission lines reveals the nebula's stunning structure, demonstrating expert handling of both equipment and post-processing. This work is a testament to the photographer's technical skill and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved second-place recognition. "
Redcat 51 II · Witch Head Nebula ( IC 2118 )
" This stunning image captures the Witch Head Nebula, a reflection nebula in Eridanus, possibly an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by the bright star Rigel. With a total integration time of 27 hours and 40 minutes across six nights, the photographer skillfully blends scientific precision with artistic charm, creating a rich HaRGB palette. The striking red background from H-alpha is beautifully complemented by ethereal blues and reds, with fine details enhanced through 2x Drizzle and a synthetic luminance from RGB data. This mesmerizing composition showcases both technical expertise and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved third-place spot. "
MiniCat51 · Orion Nebula ( M42 )
" This captivating image of the Orion Nebula beautifully illustrates how a wide-field approach can turn a familiar, beginner-friendly target into something truly extraordinary. Captured from Kansas City's Dark Sky Site, the 7-hour integration showcases both the nebula’s iconic core and its often-overlooked extended structure. The generous field of view provided by the MiniCat51 embraces the full scope of this cosmic masterpiece, while the photographer’s HDR processing perfectly balances the bright Trapezium region with the nebula’s outer details. This work demonstrates the power of wide-field imaging to reveal a more complete and breathtaking story of celestial wonders. "
Gran Turismo 71 · Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus
" This captivating image of Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus offers a stunning deep-space portrait, revealing the intricate beauty of this cosmic bubble through a vivid SHO palette. The rich sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen mapping creates a dynamic interplay of fiery golds and electric blues, giving the nebula a three-dimensional appearance, as though sculpted by interstellar winds. With 46.5 hours of total integration, the image captures the faint, wispy tendrils of ionized gas in remarkable detail, evoking a sense of depth and motion as stellar winds carve through the surrounding space. This masterful composition turns a turbulent celestial phenomenon into a breathtaking visual experience. "
Redcat 51 II · Vela Supernova Remannt ( GUM 16 )
" This breathtaking image, captured under a challenging Bortle 6 sky, masterfully showcases a vast supernova remnant with remarkable clarity and depth. Using an impressive 36 hours and 50 minutes of integration, the photographer blends scientific precision with artistic flair, employing an HOO palette and 2x Drizzle Integration to enhance resolution and bring out intricate filamentary details. The processing highlights the vibrant red hydrogen filaments against ethereal blue oxygen wisps, with RGB stars seamlessly blended for a natural starfield. This stunning composition reveals a cosmic tapestry of chaos and rebirth, making it both a technically outstanding and emotionally evocative astrophotograph. "
Redcat 71 · California Nebula ( NGC 1499 )
" This striking image beautifully captures the 100-light-year-wide California Nebula, showcasing its intricate details with a perfect blend of scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. The photographer skillfully combines exposures with Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii filters, creating a glowing masterpiece with warm golden hydrogen hues and subtle blue accents set against a natural starfield. The delicate fusion of these emission lines reveals the nebula's stunning structure, demonstrating expert handling of both equipment and post-processing. This work is a testament to the photographer's technical skill and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved second-place recognition. "
Redcat 51 II · Witch Head Nebula ( IC 2118 )
" This stunning image captures the Witch Head Nebula, a reflection nebula in Eridanus, possibly an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by the bright star Rigel. With a total integration time of 27 hours and 40 minutes across six nights, the photographer skillfully blends scientific precision with artistic charm, creating a rich HaRGB palette. The striking red background from H-alpha is beautifully complemented by ethereal blues and reds, with fine details enhanced through 2x Drizzle and a synthetic luminance from RGB data. This mesmerizing composition showcases both technical expertise and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved third-place spot. "
MiniCat51 · Orion Nebula ( M42 )
" This captivating image of the Orion Nebula beautifully illustrates how a wide-field approach can turn a familiar, beginner-friendly target into something truly extraordinary. Captured from Kansas City's Dark Sky Site, the 7-hour integration showcases both the nebula’s iconic core and its often-overlooked extended structure. The generous field of view provided by the MiniCat51 embraces the full scope of this cosmic masterpiece, while the photographer’s HDR processing perfectly balances the bright Trapezium region with the nebula’s outer details. This work demonstrates the power of wide-field imaging to reveal a more complete and breathtaking story of celestial wonders. "
Gran Turismo 71 · Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus
" This captivating image of Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus offers a stunning deep-space portrait, revealing the intricate beauty of this cosmic bubble through a vivid SHO palette. The rich sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen mapping creates a dynamic interplay of fiery golds and electric blues, giving the nebula a three-dimensional appearance, as though sculpted by interstellar winds. With 46.5 hours of total integration, the image captures the faint, wispy tendrils of ionized gas in remarkable detail, evoking a sense of depth and motion as stellar winds carve through the surrounding space. This masterful composition turns a turbulent celestial phenomenon into a breathtaking visual experience. "
Redcat 51 II · Vela Supernova Remannt ( GUM 16 )
" This breathtaking image, captured under a challenging Bortle 6 sky, masterfully showcases a vast supernova remnant with remarkable clarity and depth. Using an impressive 36 hours and 50 minutes of integration, the photographer blends scientific precision with artistic flair, employing an HOO palette and 2x Drizzle Integration to enhance resolution and bring out intricate filamentary details. The processing highlights the vibrant red hydrogen filaments against ethereal blue oxygen wisps, with RGB stars seamlessly blended for a natural starfield. This stunning composition reveals a cosmic tapestry of chaos and rebirth, making it both a technically outstanding and emotionally evocative astrophotograph. "
Redcat 71 · California Nebula ( NGC 1499 )
" This striking image beautifully captures the 100-light-year-wide California Nebula, showcasing its intricate details with a perfect blend of scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. The photographer skillfully combines exposures with Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii filters, creating a glowing masterpiece with warm golden hydrogen hues and subtle blue accents set against a natural starfield. The delicate fusion of these emission lines reveals the nebula's stunning structure, demonstrating expert handling of both equipment and post-processing. This work is a testament to the photographer's technical skill and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved second-place recognition. "
Redcat 51 II · Witch Head Nebula ( IC 2118 )
" This stunning image captures the Witch Head Nebula, a reflection nebula in Eridanus, possibly an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by the bright star Rigel. With a total integration time of 27 hours and 40 minutes across six nights, the photographer skillfully blends scientific precision with artistic charm, creating a rich HaRGB palette. The striking red background from H-alpha is beautifully complemented by ethereal blues and reds, with fine details enhanced through 2x Drizzle and a synthetic luminance from RGB data. This mesmerizing composition showcases both technical expertise and creative vision, earning it a well-deserved third-place spot. "
MiniCat51 · Orion Nebula ( M42 )
" This captivating image of the Orion Nebula beautifully illustrates how a wide-field approach can turn a familiar, beginner-friendly target into something truly extraordinary. Captured from Kansas City's Dark Sky Site, the 7-hour integration showcases both the nebula’s iconic core and its often-overlooked extended structure. The generous field of view provided by the MiniCat51 embraces the full scope of this cosmic masterpiece, while the photographer’s HDR processing perfectly balances the bright Trapezium region with the nebula’s outer details. This work demonstrates the power of wide-field imaging to reveal a more complete and breathtaking story of celestial wonders. "
Gran Turismo 71 · Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus
" This captivating image of Wolf-Rayet 134 in Cygnus offers a stunning deep-space portrait, revealing the intricate beauty of this cosmic bubble through a vivid SHO palette. The rich sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen mapping creates a dynamic interplay of fiery golds and electric blues, giving the nebula a three-dimensional appearance, as though sculpted by interstellar winds. With 46.5 hours of total integration, the image captures the faint, wispy tendrils of ionized gas in remarkable detail, evoking a sense of depth and motion as stellar winds carve through the surrounding space. This masterful composition turns a turbulent celestial phenomenon into a breathtaking visual experience. "
Honorable Mention
Bill Batchelor
Fluorostar 98
Cornelis van Zuilen
Redcat 51 MK2.5
Martin Williams
Fluorostar 120
Purwanto Nugroho
Megrez 90FD
Ali Alobaidly
Gran Turismo 81 IV
Thomas Heath Dobson
Zenithstar 61
Boštjan Mesarič
RedCat 51 II
Dr. Neil Jenkins
RedCat 51 II
Eduardo Barbosa
RedCat 51
Yoshi Suzuki
MiniCat 51
Victor Baligout
RedCat 51
Jeko Jekov
Pleiades 68
Charles O'Brien
Fluorostar 132
Túlio Roberto Xavier Aguiar
ZenithStar 151
Rathijit Banerjee
RedCat 61
Simone Curzi
RedCat 51
Bob Menius
ZenithStar 80 FD
Matthew Johnson
Gran Turismo 81 IV
Rodolphe Pineau
Gran Turismo 81 IV
Justin Accetturi
Fluorostar 132
Devesh Pande
RedCat 51
Henry Haby
RedCat 71
Trinna Cuellar
Fluorostar 132
Jason Allread
RedCat 51 II
John Poole
Fluorostar 120
Gianluca Testa
FLT 120, GT 81 WIFD
Jacques Loveridge
MiniCat 51
To ensure a beautiful display, some square or vertical images may be slightly cropped or adjusted. Thank you for sharing your stunning work and for your understanding!
Special Mention
Innovative Setup
Hyeong-Gyun Na
" The Space Cat 61 setup features stunning rigid plating and precise mounting of computer components and cables. With vibrant, coordinated cable sleeving throughout, the entire assembly offers a sleek, futuristic design reminiscent of an astronaut's gear in space. Combined with flat panel lighting, it creates a cinematic visual experience. "
Congratulations to all our winners! Please check your email for details on claiming your award.
We are truly grateful to every participant for sharing their passion and talent with us. Your incredible work has made this competition a celebration of astrophotography.
Stay tuned for more community events and future opportunities to connect!
