Image: Luc Jamet/Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year

The beauty of a total solar eclipse seen in person is difficult to capture on film, but the winning photo of a 2015 astrophotography competition does a pretty amazing job of it.

The moon obscures the sun above a mountain range from above Sassendalen valley in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard on March 20, 2015, in the image taken by photographer Luc Jamet.

“The total solar eclipse was one of the astronomical highlights of the year and Luc Jamet has captured it perfectly," Royal Observatory public astronomer Marek Kukula said in a statement announcing the winners of the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015 competition.

"I love the way that the icy landscape of Svalbard reflects and intensifies the evocative colors of the sky — colors that only occur during the few minutes of totality, and which make any eclipse an unforgettable experience.”

Jamet's top prize comes with a £2,500 award.

Judges working with the competition sifted through more than 2,700 photos to pick out the best images for each of the categories for 2015.

Some of the other shortlisted and winning photos include a fascinating image of the moon, the auroras dancing in winter skies and a close pass between Mars and a comet.

The winner in the Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year category is George Martin, 15, who captured a beautiful image of Comet Lovejoy in the night sky.

Below are some of the best astrophotography images of the year.