Best of 2022: Top Astrophotography That Captured the Beauty of the Cosmos

Astrophotography Taken in 2022

With the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), 2022 was a spectacular year for astronomy and astrophotography. Since the moment it was announced, both the scientific community and the public were excited about the new possibilities in space exploration that would come with this new telescope. In the end, the JWST exceeded expectations and gave us some incredible images of neighboring planets and far away galaxies.

From its first Deep Field image—which gave us a crystal clear view of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723—to a marvelous picture of auroras on Jupiter taken with its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), we’ve been privy to a visual feast of colors, shapes, and activity beyond the confines of our atmosphere. The photos taken by the JWST have challenged what we thought we knew about space while making us fall in love with it all over again every time.

As for independent astrophotographers, 2022 also brought some unique chances for them to take their craft to the next level. From Paul Cheyne’s beautiful image of the Milky Way glittering over the famous Racetrack Playa in California’s Death Valley to Dane Smith’s one-in-a-lifetime picture of both the Milky Way and an eclipse within the same frame to Andrew McCarthy’s collage of the phases of the last lunar eclipse of 2022, it’s clear astrophotographers have been actively capturing and creating this past year.

As a reminder of how absolutely stellar 2022 has been for photographers and space lovers, scroll down and check out some of the best astrophotography of the year. (You can also click on each image to read more about it.)

With the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, 2022 was a monumental year for astronomy and astrophotography.

 

Pillars of Creation

Pillars of Creation Captured by James Webb Space Telescope

Photo: NASAESACSA, STScI; J. DePasquale, A. Koekemoer, A. Pagan (STScI)

 

Tarantula Nebula

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Mosaic Image of the Tarantula Nebula

Photo: NASAESACSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team

 

Spiral Galaxy NGC 628

Spiral Galaxies Captured by the James Webb Space Telescope

Photo: NASAESACSA; image processing by Judy Schmidt (CC BY 2.0)

 

Butterfly Nebula

Butterfly Nebula

Photo: NASA/ESA/Hubble; image processing by William Ostling (APOD)

 

Jupiter’s Auroras

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Auroras on Jupiter

Photo: NASAESACSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Judy Schmidt

 

Neptune (Clearest Image Ever Taken)

Clearest Image of Neptune

Photo: NASAESACSA, STScI; image processing by Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

 

Eye of God

The Eye of God in Space

Photo: Connor Matherne (Website | Instagram)

 

Close-Up of Sun’s Surface

Sun's Chromosphere

Photo: NSO/AURA/NSF

 

Square-Shaped “Dust Shell” Ripple Rings

Square-Shaped Dust Shells

Photo: NASAESACSAJWSTMIRIERS Program 1349; image processing by Judy Schmidt

 

Cartwheel Galaxy

Cartwheel Galaxy

Photo: NASAESACSA, STScI

 

James Webb Space Telescope’s First Deep Field

First Photo by James Webb Space Telescope

Photo: James Webb Space Telescope (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI) (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter)

 

As for independent astrophotographers, 2022 also brought some unique chances for them to take their craft to the next level.

Photo: Andrew McCarthy (Website | Instagram | Patreon | YouTube)

Astrophotography by Andrew McCarthy and Connor Matherne

Photo: Andrew McCarthy (Website | Instagram | Patreon | YouTube)

Astrophotography by Andrew McCarthy

Photo: Andrew McCarthy (Website | Instagram | Patreon | YouTube)

Milky Way and Total Lunar Eclipse Photo by Dane Smith

Photo: Dane Smith (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photo: Paul Cheyne (Website | Instagram)

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos.

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James Webb Telescope Gives Us Our Clearest View of Neptune in Over 30 Years

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