Blazing Bristlecone, Tom Lowe, White Mountains, California, 14 August 2009. An ancient bristlecone pine stands before the Milky Way as a meteor streaks the sky. The lighting effect on the tree in the foreground was actually caused by accident when the photographer was setting his equipment up. Overall winner of the astronomy photographer of the year award, and winner of the earth and space prize

Photograph: Tom Lowe/National Maritime Museum