As humanity’s gaze stretches ever further into the cosmos, the most stunning images of the year have been compiled by various sites. Live Science's gallery captures some of the awe-inspiring beauty and mystery of our universe. Their collection includes a giant "diamond ring" pictured in the Cygnus constellation (above), the fiery birth of the "Butterfly Star" spreading its cosmic wings, and a massive volcano piercing the clouds of Mars.
Over at Reuters, lush images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and black holes dazzle the eye. One infrared photo from the James Webb Telescope offers a fantastic view of the planetary nebula NGC 1514, with a star at its center shedding its layers of dust.
Not to be outdone, Scientific American highlights ten striking images, including the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS and a breathtaking aurora seen over Monroe, Wisconsin, this past November. What is your favorite space image of the year? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.