His image of the Horsehead Nebula in Orion was awarded first prize in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2009 from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The winning entry was taken over a period of 19 hours, over 14 nights, in a period of two months - of a subject 1,500 light years away.
"However, it was my picture which won third prize of the Galactic Dust in Corona Australia that I am most proud of," says Martin. "That is my most technically correct photograph and is comprised of 180 photos, over 39 hours and was shot over a period of three months"
North America Nebula - NGC 7000
Beginning his astrophotography in 1999 with a relatively inexpensive £3,000 set of telescope and camera, Martin has now graduated to a £20,000 set of equipment that enables him to compete with the best
The North America Nebula, also known as NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20, an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The shape resembles a map of North America
NGC-1365 Spiral Galaxy
The majority of his shots were taken from the middle of 2005 to late 2008, when Martin lived in Canberra Australia after transferring from the Royal Navy to the Royal Australian Navy
NGC-1365, a spiral galaxy about 56 million light years away in the constellation Formax
Running Chicken Nebula - IC 2948
"I utilised the clear skies of my Australian home and even built a mini observatory out of a converted shed," explains Martin
The Running Chicken Nebula, or IC 2948. This picture was the winner of the David Malin Awards in 2008
Messier 78 a.k.a NGC 2068
Martin's work is appearing on an Australian stamp which was released late last month. "This year is the International Year of Photography and the Australian Post Office issued three stamps to commemorate that fact," says Martin. "I was one of those three and the only amateur"
Messier 78, also known as NGC 2068, which is now featured on a stamp in Australia
Veil Nebula Complex
Talking about his inspiration to begin his photography, Martin reminisces about his time aboard naval vessels on the open seas. "As a member of the Navy, I spent years without light pollution staring up at the skies," says Martin
The Veil Nebula Complex, which was discovered by William Herschel in 1784
The Helix Nebula - NGC 793
"I was always intrigued by the night skies and space, but it was witnessing the Halle Bop comet in my back garden in Dudley in 1997 that really put me onto astrophotography," he says
The Helix Nebula, or NGC 793, a lrage planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius. It is a mere 700 light years away
The Eagle Nebula - NGC 6611
The Eagle Nebula, also known as M16 or NGC 6611, 6,500 light years away in the constellation Serpens
The Keyhole Nebula - NGC 3324
The Keyhole Nebula, or NGC 3324, which was created by the dying star Eta Carina
The Running Man Nebula - NGC 1977
The Running Man Nebula, or NGC 1977, in Orion
The Prawn Nebula - IC4628 (2 pictures)
The Prawn Nebula, or IC4628, south of Antares, in the tail of the nebula-rich constellation Scorpius
Source : Independent UK
