ItalyMario Cogo, an Italian astrophotographer from Vicenza, has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 'Zwo Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2026' competition organized by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. His entry, titled 'Suspended Plasma,' captures a filament of plasma rising from the edge of the Sun, shaped by invisible magnetic forces. Cogo previously participated in the competition in 2018, where he won first and second place in the 'Stars and Nebulae' category with images such as 'Corona Australis' and 'Rigel and The Witch Head Nebula.' He is an engineer specializing in lighting technology and has had his work published in astronomy magazines and websites, including being featured by NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day. This year’s competition received nearly 4,000 entries from over 700 participants worldwide, with notable finalists capturing scenes like the rising moon over Seattle, the Andromeda galaxy, the supermoon over Paris, and Comet Lemmon above the Swiss Alps. The winners will be announced during an online ceremony on September 17, 2026.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on an astrophotography competition and highlights the achievements of an individual artist. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or contentious issues. The content is purely cultural and celebratory of artistic achievement in astrophotography.
