The 2012 Astronomy Photographer of the year is now open for entries, but you don’t need expensive equipment or a huge telescope to enter. There’s a Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year category for under-16s, as well as a special prize for the Best Newcomer, which could be anyone who’s only started taking astronomy pictures in the last year.

The pictures don’t all have to be just of stars and galaxies, though, as there are also categories like Earth and Space or People and Space, which allow you to get creative without the need for a telescope.

You have until 29 June to get your entries in, and each entrant is allowed to submit up to five images. The winning images will all be shown in a free exhibition at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, which runs from 21 September 2012 to February 2013.

“Astronomy is becoming increasingly popular with the public,” says the Public Astronomer, Dr Marek Kukula. “I love the fact that we receive entries from people all around the world and from complete beginners as well as seasoned experts. All the judges are excited about what we’re going to see this time around.”