The world's astronomer... Kuwaiti

Kuwaiti photographer Ali Al-Obaidli won the grand prize in the ZWO “Astrophotographer of the Year” competition, organized by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the UK capital, for his image “The Quiet Predator,” which documents the Shark Nebula (LDN 1235), located 650 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. In a statement to KUNA, Al-Obaidli expressed his pride at having his image displayed in the ZWO “Astrophotographer of the Year” exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, part of the Royal Museums Greenwich network, adding that this was “one of the most significant aspects of this achievement.” He emphasized that the “Astrophotographer of the Year” exhibition is among the most prestigious and prominent astrophotography exhibitions worldwide, showcasing the best space images from across the globe. He added, “I hope this achievement will help strengthen Kuwait’s presence on the global astrophotography stage.” Titled “The Quiet Predator,” the image of the Shark Nebula was captured through a 28-hour exposure of this faint, distant nebula, which consists of a cloud of gas and dust, revealing intricate details of the nebula located approximately 650 light-years away. The “Astrophotographer of the Year” competition is an annual event that features the best space images from around the world, with photographers from various countries competing for the title. This year’s exhibition includes 140 images, both winners and finalists in the “Astrophotographer of the Year 2026” competition, hosted by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, which opened its call for entries last February.