2025 AOSS Photo Contest
Around the world, the atmosphere and the weather connects us all. From the most energetic events, to subtle transformations, these captured moments reveal the complexity underlying our natural world and beyond.
For the 15th year, the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Photo Contest at UW-Madison showcases stunning photographs of weather phenomena. Students, scientists, staff and professors all share what they see when they peer through the camera’s lens.
This year’s winning entry “Rainbow Lightning” was submitted by David Mikolajczyk, research scientist at the Space Science and Engineering Center and Antarctic Meteorological Research and Data Center.
“Just as I took the photo, a lightning bolt flashed across the sky, and as luck would have it, it was timed perfectly for me to capture it!” says Mikolajczyk. “I was enjoying looking out my window at the very active thunderstorms that were rolling through as the sun was setting. There was a lot of lightning and even a double rainbow at times.”
Take a look at the winning entries, honorable mentions and all of the outstanding photographs submitted this year.
SSEC and the AOSS Library are proud to host the annual AOSS Photo Contest.