[boris]

Pretty, but this is not an astronomy photograph.

I am increasingly unhappy (big deal, I know) with "beauty" scenery shots masquerading as astrophotos--such as "the Moon and Venus over Geneva" a few days ago.

Can we agree that an "astronomy" photo ought to involve--in some way--a telescope? Is that too much to ask?

--Boris

[RightWhale]

Sure, it isn't astronomy as we know it. Sometimes we overlook the fact that earth is also in the universe. Kepler, Terrestrial Planet Finder, Darwin, and Eddington are upcoming missions to space intended to find planets and perhaps life out there. Within a few years there will be images of other planets out side the solar system. --[mental shift]-- The stars will become suns. Who knows, perhaps an image of sunset over a distant planet will be as commonplace one day as what we have been looking at right here forever. And when we are on Mars looking back at earth, that will be astronomy for sure.

[petuniasevan]

The problem is this.
I'm reposting the APOD from NASA's site.
I post what they post.
If you have an objection, follow the link and email Robert Nemiroff or Jerry Bonnell.
It's their choice of photos.

I've seen plenty of astronomical photos not taken through a telescope...

Maybe your definition of astronomy is too rigid.