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Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Milky Way will be visible across the US this month. Here's how to get the best views.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The bright band of the Milky Way is about to make its first great appearance of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. There are few more impressive sights than the arc of the Milky Way spanning the night sky, but skywatchers don't always know exactly how, when and where to see it. In fact, one-third of humanity — and 80% of Americans — cannot see it. The reason is light pollution, with the sky's brightness increasing by between 7% and 10% per year between 2011 and 2023, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Science. As a result, if you want to see the Milky Way, you'll need to be as far away from light pollution as possible. Good options include a Dark Sky Place or somewhere that looks dark on a light pollution map. Although the Milky Way can be seen in some form for about eight months of the year, the galaxy's bright core becomes easier to see — and gets higher in the sky — as of May as seen from midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States and the most populated parts of Canada. Related: The 10 best stargazing events of 2025 According to the Milky Way photography website Capture The Atlas, "Milky Way season" runs from February to October, usually between midnight and 5 a.m. local time, though your location and the phase of the moon matter a lot. During May, the period between the last quarter moon on May 20 and the new moon on May 30 is the time to look for the Milky Way. RELATED STORIES —Does the Milky Way orbit anything? —How many galaxies orbit the Milky Way? —James Webb telescope spots Milky Way's long-lost 'twin' — and it is 'fundamentally changing our view of the early universe' Even if you have a clear, moonless night, the viewing window is further restricted by when the galaxy's bright core rises from your location. The key is to find out when the Summer Triangle — a shape formed by three bright stars — becomes visible. This vast asterism of Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, Vega in Lyra and Altair in Aquila sits across the Milky Way. If it's above the horizon, you have a good chance of spotting it. Between May 20 and May 30, the Summer Triangle will be up in the east at midnight and higher in the southeast by 3 a.m. local time. The Milky Way will rise higher into the sky — and appear earlier — as the Summer Triangle becomes more prominent in June and July, but a lack of darkness at mid-northern latitudes around the solstice on June 20-21 makes May the best time to grab a first glance before the Milky Way gets much brighter and higher in the sky in August and September.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Milky Way Photographer of the Year 2025: This year's winners
The top pictures from the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year Awards have been winning image went to Marcin Rosadziński, whose photo shows a rainbow-like arc of the Milky Way accompanied by a sea of clouds over a rocky hill on the island of year's competition, run by travel blog Capture the Atlas, also includes a picture taken from space aboard the International Space Station, along with amazing views from countries around the world such as Chad, Argentina and out some of the other winners below. This fiery picture was taken in the central American country of photographer hiked up Acatenango volcano for the first time, hoping to photot the neighbouring Volcán de Fuego against the Milky Way's backdrop. He managed to capture the volcano erupting, with huge ash plumes rising from it, with the galaxy right above - creating an amazing contrast. The Milky Way, the galaxy in which we live, gets its name from its milky-looking texture - which inspired a Greek myth that a goddess put milk into the photo was taken in the Coyote Buttes, which spans across the US states of Arizona and shows the famous sandstone waves with their spectacular shapes and colours with a colourful galaxy shining above geological area is protected, and the photographer needed special permit to get access. Most of the photos are taken at night in places where there's not much light pollution. For example, places far away from cities or where people live, making the starry night sky much easier to shot above was taken in a remote area of the Atacama Cactus Valley, in the South American country of Chile, known for its large amount of cactus plants. The picture shows the Gum Nebula on the right-hand side, which is widely believed to be the expanded remains of a supernova that took place around a million years ago. It's not just here on Earth where this year's entries were astronaut Don Pettit is a keen photographer and is known for taking plenty of pictures while on missions with the US space photo was taken while he was on board the ISS (International Space Station) and Don explained how special his job is. "There are over eight billion people that call this planet home. There are seven of us that can say the same for Space Station. What a privilege it is to be here," he said. Over to Austria now, where this picture was taken in the country's Dobratsch mountains. It wasn't an easy task capturing this photographer embarked on a two-hour hike through the snow with a heavy backpack and sled in order to get to the cabin which is visible in the picture waited for three hours in freezing -12°C weather, waiting for the perfect shot of the Milky Way's core.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA astronaut's shot from space features in Photographer of the Year competition
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The travel photography blog Capture the Atlas has released the eighth edition of its annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year, showcasing a curated collection of the 25 best Milky Way photos around the globe. And – for the first time ever – the collection includes a shot taken from space. Described by Capture the Atlas as an "extraordinary milestone," the image One in a Billion, was captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station. Astrophotography is among the most challenging genres in photography. Increasing light pollution only adds to the difficulty of capturing the night sky in all its clarity and vibrancy. That's also why many of this year's images come from some of the most remote and pristine locations on Earth – from the deserts of Cha and the peaks of the Andes to the surreal landscapes of Socotra Island and the untouched skies of New Zealand and Namibia. This year's collection also includes striking captures of celestial events: a comet, a meteor shower and a lunar eclipse, each beautifully set against the glowing backdrop of the Milky Way. So, let's dive into ten standout images, explore the stories behind the stills and take a look at the gear that made these awe-inspiring shots possible. Because in astrophotography, the right equipment makes all the difference. To view the full gallery, head over to Capture the Atlas' website. Image 1 of 2 Double Milky Way Arch Over Matterhorn by Angel Fux Image info- Both arches: f/5.6, 127 sec, ISO 2500- Foreground: f/5, 1/5 sec, ISO 800 Gear info -Nikon Z6 Astromodified (for the sky part) -Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S- Nikon Z8 (for the landscape part) - Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S- Benro Polaris Astro Kit- Peak Design travel tripod "This image captures the rare Double Arch Milky Way, where both the Winter Milky Way (with Orion rising) and the Summer Milky Way (with the Galactic Center) appear in the same night – a seamless transition between seasons. "Taken at 3,200 meters in the heart of winter, the night was brutally cold, testing both my endurance and equipment. This is a time blend, preserving the real positions of both arches by combining frames taken hours apart, with the foreground captured at dawn for the best detail. "Zermatt and the Matterhorn have been photographed countless times, but I aimed to create something truly unique – an image captured under conditions few would attempt. I'm incredibly proud of the effort and patience it took to bring this vision to life." Image 2 of 2 Tololo Lunar Eclipse Sky by Petr Horálek Image info- Single exposures stitched to a panorama - f/1.8, 81x10 sec, ISO 8000Gear info- Canon EOS Ra- Sigma Art 35mm f/1.8 "On March 14 2025, a total lunar eclipse occurred, especially visible over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean. I was fortunate to observe this particular eclipse from the NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. You can see how epic the sky was during totality, as the Moon darkened enough for the majestic Milky Way, the faint belt of Zodiacal Light, and prominent airglow to stand out." Image 1 of 3 One in a Billion by Don Pettit Image info - 14mm, f/1.4, 8 sec, ISO 6400 Gear info- Nikon Z9- Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art- Sky Watcher modified tracker "I float in the Cupola, looking out the seven windows composing this faceted transparent jewel. While my mind is submerged in contemplation, my eyes gorge on the dim reflections from a nighttime Earth. "There are over eight billion people that call this planet home. There are seven of us that can say the same for Space Station. What a privilege it is to be here. I used an orbital star tracker to take out the star streak motion from orbit." Image 2 of 3 Blosoom by Ethan Su Image info - Sky: 1 row tracked panorama at f/2, 90 sec, ISO 800- Foreground: 2 row panorama and focus stack, f/2.8, 60 sec, ISO 6400- 65 images in total Gear info - Sony A7 III (astromodified)- Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art- Vixen Polarie U- Leofoto LS-284cex tripod "After 3 years of waiting, the Yushan alpine rhododendrons are finally in bloom once again on Taiwan's 3,000-meter-high Hehuan Mountain. On this special night, distant clouds helped block city light pollution, revealing an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way. "A solar flare from active region AR3664 reached Earth that evening, intensifying the airglow and adding an otherworldly touch to the sky. Together, these rare natural events created a breathtaking scene – vivid blooms glowing softly beneath a star-filled sky." Image 3 of 3 Cosmic Fire by Sergio Montúfar Image info- Single image, f/2.8, 10 sec, ISO 3200 Gear info - Canon 6D Astromodified- Samyang/ Rolinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS IF UMC- Sirui tripod "On the early morning of June 02 2024, I summited Acatenango Volcano for the first time, hoping to witness the fiery beauty of the neighboring Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way's backdrop. That night, the volcano was incredibly active – each thunderous explosion reverberated in my chest, while glowing lava illuminated the dark slopes. "Above, the Milky Way stretched diagonally across the sky, a mesmerizing band of stars contrasting with the chaos below. As the volcano erupted, the ash plume rose vertically, forming an acute angle of about 45 degrees with the galaxy's diagonal path, creating a stunning visual contrast between Earth's fury and the cosmos' serenity. "Capturing this required a fast, wide-angle lens (f/2.8), an ISO of 3200, and a 10-second exposure to balance the volcanic glow with the starlight. The challenge was timing the shot during a new moon and aligning the right moment for the Milky Way to cross the frame next to the volcano. I used Lightroom as the editor. "This image is special for its storytelling – the raw power of Volcan de Fuego meeting the tranquil expanse of the galaxy." Image 1 of 3 A Sea of Lupines by Max Inwood Image info- Sky: f/2.0, 30 sec, ISO 3200- Foreground: f/2.4, 30 sec, ISO 6400 Gear info - Canon EOS 6D (astromodified)- Sigma 28mm f/1.4 Art- Samyang 14mm f/1.4 XP- iOption SkyGuider Pro "The annual lupine bloom in New Zealand is spectacular, with fields of colorful flowers stretching across the Mackenzie Basin. This region, located in the heart of the South Island, is renowned for its dark skies, making the scene even more surreal at night. "I had to wait until the early hours of the morning for the wind to calm down, but eventually everything became still, and I was able to capture this image. "Above the flowers, you can see the band of the outer Milky Way, alongside the constellations Orion, Gemini, and the Pleiades. Joining them are the bright planets Jupiter and Mars, with a strong display of green airglow visible along the horizon." Image 2 of 3 Bottle Tree Paradise by Benjamin Barakat Image info - Foreground (blue hour): f/8, 10 sec, ISO 400- Sky: f/2.0, 5x120 sec, ISO 400 Gear info- Sony A7 IV- Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM- Sunwayfoto T2840CK- MSM Nomad "Socotra is one of my favorite places on Earth, but when it comes to a specific location, this one stands out. It doesn't have an official name, as it's not a destination for the few fortunate tourists who visit Socotra. After shooting there for the past four years and scouting the island, I've discovered hidden gems like this one, which I call Bottle Tree Paradise. "Bottle trees are unique to Socotra, a result of the island's long isolation from the mainland. This separation allowed them to evolve distinctive features, such as their water-storing, bottle-shaped trunks, which help them survive Socotra's harsh, dry climate. They are believed to have originated from ancient plant species that adapted to the island's unique environment over millions of years." Image 3 of 3 Boot Arch Perseids by Mike Abramyan Image info - Sky: Mosaic of 9 images at 50mm, f/2, 92 sec, ISO 400- Foreground: Mosaic of 4 images at 50mm, F/2.8, 92 sec, ISO 400- Meteors: 14mm, f/1.8, 15 sec, ISO 400 Gear info- Sony A7 IV (astromodified)- Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM- Sony FE 14mm 1.8 GM- Benro Polaris- Leofoto LS-324C "The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every August, raining down hundreds of meteors over a few nights. In 2024, I had planned to photograph it from the Canadian Rockies, but wildfires forced me to change my plans at the last minute. After checking wildfire maps, I found a safe haven in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. "After three full nights of capturing meteors, I created this image. Sitting on the rock is my friend Arne, who often joins me on these adventures, gazing up at the magnificent core of our galaxy. "Each meteor is painstakingly aligned to its true location in the night sky. The final depiction shows all the meteors I captured, combined into one frame – as if the Earth hadn't been rotating and all the meteors had fallen at once." Image 1 of 2 The Wave by Luis Cajete Image info - Foreground: 360° panorama, two rows, f/3.5, 8 sec, ISO 6400- Sky: 360° panorama, two rows, f/1.8, 60 sec, ISO 800- Sky H Alpha: three-shot panorama, stacked, f/1.8, 240 sec, ISO 1600 Gear info - Nikon Z6 II- Samyang/ Rolinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fish Eye- Nikon Z6 (astromodified)- Nikon Z 20 mm 1.8- Astronomic filter H-alpha 12nm- iOption Skyguider pro- Leofoto LS324C tripod "One of my greatest passions is visiting stunning natural wonders and paying my personal tribute to them through night photography. This image was taken at Coyote Buttes, a geological masterpiece located in Arizona, where special access permits are required to protect it for future generations. "Despite the intense cold during those days, it was incredibly exciting to visit the great sandstone wave for the first time and enjoy its spectacular shapes and colors. "To capture this 360° panorama, I planned for the Milky Way and focused on creating a balanced photographic composition. It's hard to put into words the beauty of this place, but I hope my photograph manages to convey it." Image 2 of 2 Un Destello en la Oscuridad by Luis Merino Image info- Sky: 1 row, 4 panel x 5 shots per panel, f/1,4, 25 sec, ISO 1600- Foreground: 1 row, 3 panels, f/2.8, 120 sec, ISO 6400 Gear info - Sony A7 III Astromodified- Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art- Samyang 8mm f/2.8- Benro Polaris "In my quest to find new places to practice this beautiful hobby, I discovered this corner, which, with a touch of light, transformed into a dreamlike scene. The lighting highlighted every detail: a stream carved by water, which usually flows forcefully after heavy rains, was now a peaceful calm; and although the Milky Way didn't fully unfold, the galactic center appeared framed like a radiant beacon in the vastness of the night sky. "The gentle croak of the frogs provided the natural soundtrack to this experience, making each moment feel unique and filled with magic. This experience taught me that light has the power to transform the ordinary into a scene of wonder, revealing nuances that would otherwise go unnoticed." If you are feeling inspired to start or dive deeper into astrophotography, Capture the Atlas offers tutorials, travel guides, and curated content to help you gain or refine your skills. Capturing stunning images of the night sky and space starts with having the right gear. Check out our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Stunning photos of Milky Way dazzle in sensational space snap contest and wow judges
THERE'S some real stars quality in the nightscapes nominated for the annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year. Photos taken from space, Chile and the US are all in the running for the out-of-this-world picture prize. Advertisement 7 Taken from an ice hut on Austria's Dobratsch mountain with a Milky Way backdrop Credit: UroA� Fink/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 The Perseid Meteor Shower from the Eastern Sierra Nevada Credit: Mike Abramyan/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 A breath taking panorama of the Milky Way captured over Chile's remote Atacama Cactus Valley, famed for its dense cluster of towering cacti Credit: Pablo Ruiz/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG Travel blog Capture The Atlas revealed the sensational photos that have wowed judges at this year's eighth annual competition. Photographer Uroš Fink, who took a snap from an Austrian ice hut, said: 'Undoubtedly my wildest location this winter – Austria's Dobratsch mountain! 'The sky was magnificent, with "In the foreground is the cabin, where I spent three freezing hours waiting for the perfect shot of the Milky Way's core. Advertisement READ MORE WORLD NEWS "It turned out exactly as I envisioned—a true winter fairytale.' 7 The heavens from Socotra, Yemen Credit: Benjamin Barakat/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way's backdrop Credit: Sergio Montúfar/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 Truly out of this world - the Milky Way from the International Space Station Credit: Don Pettit/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG Advertisement 7 Capturing the Milky Way core from Otago, New Zealand Credit: Kavan Chay/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG WHAT IS THE MILKY WAY The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. It is a barred spiral galaxy, meaning it has a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars, and spiral arms that extend outward. Here are some key features: Galactic Centre : A densely packed area of stars and other matter, believed to contain a supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*. Bulge : Surrounding the galactic centre, the bulge is a roughly spherical region filled with older stars. Disk : This flat, rotating disk contains most of the galaxy's stars, gas, and dust, and includes the spiral arms. Halo : An extended, roughly spherical region surrounding the disk, containing older stars and globular clusters. Spiral Arms : These are regions of higher density that contain a lot of young stars, gas, and dust. Our galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter and contains between 100 billion and 400 billion stars. The Sun is located roughly 27,000 light-years from the galactic center, in one of the spiral arms known as the Orion Arm or Orion Spur. The Milky Way rotates, with stars in the disk orbiting the galactic centre. The speed of rotation varies with distance from the centre. The Milky Way is part of a group of galaxies known as the Local Group, which also includes the Andromeda Galaxy, the Triangulum Galaxy, and about 54 other smaller galaxies. From Earth, the Milky Way appears as a milky band of light stretching across the sky, which is the combined light of billions of distant stars that are too faint to be seen individually. Stunning clip of Milky Way captured in record-breaking detail - scientists say it 'changes view of our galaxy forever'
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stunning photos of Milky Way dazzle in sensational space snap contest and wow judges
See some of the sensational photos that have wowed judges at this year's annual competition OUT OF THIS WORLD OUT OF THIS WORLD Stunning photos of Milky Way dazzle in sensational space snap contest and wow judges Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE'S some real stars quality in the nightscapes nominated for the annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year. Photos taken from space, Chile and the US are all in the running for the out-of-this-world picture prize. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Taken from an ice hut on Austria's Dobratsch mountain with a Milky Way backdrop Credit: UroA� Fink/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 The Perseid Meteor Shower from the Eastern Sierra Nevada Credit: Mike Abramyan/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 A breath taking panorama of the Milky Way captured over Chile's remote Atacama Cactus Valley, famed for its dense cluster of towering cacti Credit: Pablo Ruiz/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG Travel blog Capture The Atlas revealed the sensational photos that have wowed judges at this year's eighth annual competition. Photographer Uroš Fink, who took a snap from an Austrian ice hut, said: 'Undoubtedly my wildest location this winter – Austria's Dobratsch mountain! 'The sky was magnificent, with Jupiter and Mars shining brightly. "In the foreground is the cabin, where I spent three freezing hours waiting for the perfect shot of the Milky Way's core. READ MORE WORLD NEWS STORM COMING British missiles could soon be used by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia "It turned out exactly as I envisioned—a true winter fairytale.' 7 The heavens from Socotra, Yemen Credit: Benjamin Barakat/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way's backdrop Credit: Sergio Montúfar/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 Truly out of this world - the Milky Way from the International Space Station Credit: Don Pettit/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG 7 Capturing the Milky Way core from Otago, New Zealand Credit: Kavan Chay/Milky Way Photographer of the Year/CMG WHAT IS THE MILKY WAY The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. It is a barred spiral galaxy, meaning it has a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars, and spiral arms that extend outward. Here are some key features: Galactic Centre : A densely packed area of stars and other matter, believed to contain a supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*. : A densely packed area of stars and other matter, believed to contain a supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*. Bulge : Surrounding the galactic centre, the bulge is a roughly spherical region filled with older stars. : Surrounding the galactic centre, the bulge is a roughly spherical region filled with older stars. Disk : This flat, rotating disk contains most of the galaxy's stars, gas, and dust, and includes the spiral arms. : This flat, rotating disk contains most of the galaxy's stars, gas, and dust, and includes the spiral arms. Halo : An extended, roughly spherical region surrounding the disk, containing older stars and globular clusters. : An extended, roughly spherical region surrounding the disk, containing older stars and globular clusters. Spiral Arms: These are regions of higher density that contain a lot of young stars, gas, and dust. Our galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter and contains between 100 billion and 400 billion stars. The Sun is located roughly 27,000 light-years from the galactic center, in one of the spiral arms known as the Orion Arm or Orion Spur. The Milky Way rotates, with stars in the disk orbiting the galactic centre. The speed of rotation varies with distance from the centre. The Milky Way is part of a group of galaxies known as the Local Group, which also includes the Andromeda Galaxy, the Triangulum Galaxy, and about 54 other smaller galaxies. From Earth, the Milky Way appears as a milky band of light stretching across the sky, which is the combined light of billions of distant stars that are too faint to be seen individually.
