AN OXFORD stargazer has snapped his way around the solar system and received stellar praise from experts.

Nick Smith, from Barton Road, Headington, takes pictures of the night sky from his back garden and was last week honoured for his work.

His pictures of the Moon and Jupiter gained him a runners-up place at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010 competition.

He fought off competition from hundreds of entries from around the world to get the accolade in the ‘Our Solar System’ category.

And at the awards ceremony held at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Mr Smith also received a ‘ highly commended’ prize for his work.

The dad-of-two said he was thrilled to have been recognised.

He said: “It was a tremendous honour to be awarded for my pictures, and such a historical place to receive the prize.

“The Champagne was certainly flowing that night.”

Mr Smith works for a medical equipment company and only started photographing the planets five years ago.

He said: “I had always been interested in astronomy but I did not think it would be possible to take professional pictures of the planets like this.

“I thought it would need lots of technical equipment, but all it takes is a telescope and a webcam.”

He explained: “They are taken with a video camera that is attached to a telescope and takes lots of frames per second.

“I then use computer software to create the images. But anyone can have a go with basic low-cost equipment.”

Mr Smith has two children, Annabella, 11, and Joseph, nine, but said they were not really enthusiastic about his passion. He said: “You would think they would be impressed, but they have seen so many pictures now, it does not seem exciting to them.”

But he said partner Judy was more supportive of his hobby, which sees him outside in the garden every time the skies are clear.

He said: “I get outside every clear night, which is difficult in England, but every few nights I get lucky and get some fantastic shots.

“Judy is very supportive – at least if I am in the back garden, I’m not out and in trouble somewhere.”

Mr Smith’s pictures are now on display in an exhibition at the Royal Observatory.