It’s peak Milky Way season and all over the world astrophotographers are clamoring to capture magical shots of our galaxy.
Every year in late May, travel photography blog Capture the Atlas releases its collection of the 25 best new photos of the Milky Way. In 2024, the seventh edition of the compilation features mesmerizing images taken in far-flung locations in 15 countries. Each photograph on the list, selected from more than 5,000 overall entries, has its own unique story.
Viewing the Milky Way with maximum clarity requires a dark sky free from light pollution. All 25 photographers—representing 19 different nationalities—undertook special trips to achieve their shots; many braving cold temperatures at high altitudes and some even camping out for days. One thing each has in common, regardless of the place they traveled to, is the profoundly unforgettable experience they had witnessing the beauty of the Milky Way.
When curating the images, Capture the Atlas editor Dan Zafra assesses the quality of the image, the story behind the shot, and the overall inspiration it offers. Here are this year’s 25 best photographs that captured our grand galaxy in all its glory from 15 countries: the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Egypt, Oman, Yemen, and Jordan.
‘Lightning Lake’ by Tom Rae
"Lightning Lake" by Tom Rae. (Courtesy of Tom Rae via Capture the Atlas)
Tom Rae had “longed to capture” the Milky Way from New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki, in Mount Cook National Park, on a winter night.
Recalling the journey up the valley to reach the glacial lake, with the red, glowing sky above full of billions of stars, the photographer told Capture the Atlas that “the scene that unfolded made me feel like I had landed on another planet ... a glimpse into the vastness beyond.”
"The Vanity of Life" by Mihail Minkov. (Courtesy of Mihail Minkov via Capture the Atlas)
The composition of Mihail Minkov’s spectacular photo, taken in Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert, aims to intentionally draw the viewer’s focus to a small human figure with “the majestic Milky Way core” dominating the background. The photograph beautifully underscores “humanity’s insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe.”
The photographer says: “Whenever I venture out to capture the night sky, I’m filled with a sense of humility and gratitude for my existence. It’s as if my problems diminish in comparison, and I’m reminded of the immense love I have for my family and the beauty of life itself, making everything else seem trivial.”
‘A Clear Welcome’ by Francesco Dall’Olmo
"A Clear Welcome" by Francesco Dall’Olmo. (Courtesy of Francesco Dall’Olmo via Capture the Atlas)
Rare, favorable conditions in Patagonia, Argentina, gifted photographer Francesco Dall’Olmo his stunning shot of Fitz Roy Mountain perfectly “framed by the Milky Way arch,” with Laguna de los Tres in the foreground.
“This was the first photo I took in Patagonia,” he says. “Contrary to expectations of cold, rain, and wind, our initial encounter with these landscapes was unusual: nearly three days of clear skies. Reaching the lagoon around 7 a.m., I immediately captured shots of the sky. Shortly afterward, I photographed the foreground, where twilight had already set in. This clear welcome gifted me with [this] rare photo.”
‘Starlight Therapy’ by Kavan Chay
"Starlight Therapy" by Kavan Chay. (Courtesy of Kavan Chay via Capture the Atlas)
Kavan Chay was going through some rough times when he visited a special spot in New Zealand on a photography trip. Climbing Mount Cook, also named Aoraki, as a way of helping his mental health was a struggle—especially with a massive amount of gear. The night spent under the stars, however, was “breathtaking” and at 5 a.m., he succeeded in taking this magnificent shot.
‘Blue Lagoon Under the Stars’ by Yuri Beletsky
"Blue Lagoon Under the Stars" by Yuri Beletsky. (Courtesy of Yuri Beletsky via Capture the Atlas)
Photographer Yuri Beletsky had an unforgettable moment in the Atacama Desert of Chile capturing the Milky Way’s Galactic Center with its Zodiacal light.
“The blue color was as real as the stars in the sky, adding a touch of magic to the scene. It was an absolutely incredible experience!” he said, adding that he felt “deeply connected to the world around me and the universe beyond.”
‘The Lions Den’ by Lorenzo Ranieri
"The Lions Den" by Lorenzo Ranieri. (Courtesy of Lorenzo Ranieri via Capture the Atlas)
Spending a thrilling night on the plateau of Chile’s Atacama Desert—a “potentially dangerous” region as it’s been designated as a mountain lion reserve—Lorenzo Ranieri found himself surrounded by an area “littered with the bones of small animals.”
Mr. Ranieri called the experience “a bit nerve-wracking,” but said the opportunity to photograph the splendor of the Milky Way’s arch made it all worthwhile.
‘Bluff Hut’ by Rachel Roberts
"Bluff Hut" by Rachel Roberts. (Courtesy of Rachel Roberts via Capture the Atlas)
To get to “one of the darkest places on the planet”—Mungo River Valley in the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island—Rachel Roberts had to travel by helicopter. Initially, she’d planned on visiting another location, but when bad weather hit, she trusted the pilot to choose the best spot, resulting in this shot of the Milky Way “arching majestically” over Bluff Hut.
‘Blooming Bottle Tree’ by Rositsa Dimitrova
"Blooming Bottle Tree" by Rositsa Dimitrova. (Courtesy of Rositsa Dimitrova via Capture the Atlas)
The night sky above Socotra Island, Yemen, is categorized as Bortle 1—the darkest sky on the Bortle scale. Set against an “alien-looking” landscape, Rosita Dimitrova’s Milky Way photograph is mesmerizing.
“I was actually 11 weeks pregnant with my second child when I visited—I must admit that camping and shooting all night were not the most fatigue-friendly activities, but all the challenges were absolutely worth it. I’m now dreaming of taking my two daughters to Socotra one day—for an experience they will never, ever forget,” she said.
‘Atmospheric Fireworks’ by Julien Looten
"Atmospheric Fireworks" by Julien Looten. (Courtesy of Julien Looten via Capture the Atlas)
Julien Looten ventured to the foot of a medieval castle in France’s Dordogne region to capture the Milky Way’s “winter” arc. A natural phenomenon known as chemiluminescence—a chemical reaction in the upper atmosphere that emits faint light—illuminated the sky alongside the dramatic castle, like multi-colored clouds.
‘Desert Bloom’ by Marcin Zajac
"Desert Bloom" by Marcin Zajac. (Courtesy of Marcin Zajac via Capture the Atlas)
Goblin Valley State Park, located in a remote corner of Utah’s Colorado Plateau, is wonderfully free of urban light pollution. Marcin Zajac took this intriguing photo of a group of hoodoos (tall rock formations) called the Three Sisters, with wildflowers blooming in the foreground and the mystical Milky Way above.
Check out the rest of the mesmerizing photographs below:
"Caradhras—Milky Way Arch Above Vrsic Pass" by Matej Mlakar. (Courtesy of Matej Mlakar via Capture the Atlas)
"Mungo Dreamtime" by John Rutter. (Courtesy of John Rutter via Capture the Atlas)
"Lupine Dreams" by Brandt Ryder. (Courtesy of Brandt Ryder via Capture the Atlas)
"Starry Hoodoo Wonderland" by Stephanie Thi. (Courtesy of Stephanie Thi via Capture the Atlas)
"Road to Winter Paradise" by Andrea Curzi. (Courtesy of Andrea Curzi via Capture the Atlas)
"The Tajinaste" by Maximilian Höfling. (Courtesy of Maximilian Höfling via Capture the Atlas)
"Rainbow Valley" by Baillie Farley. (Courtesy of Baillie Farley via Capture the Atlas)
"Mother Juniper" by Benjamin Barakat. (Courtesy of Benjamin Barakat via Capture the Atlas)
"The Celestial Symphony Above a High Desert Lagoon" by Kerry-ann Lecky Hepburn. (Courtesy of Kerry-ann Lecky Hepburn via Capture the Atlas)
"Multicolored Up and Down" by Cari Letelier. (Courtesy of Cari Letelier via Capture the Atlas)
"The Kingdom of Perun" by Tervel Kutsev. (Courtesy of Tervel Kutsev via Capture the Atlas)
"Milky Way at Morning Glory Pool" by Jerry Zhang. (Courtesy of Jerry Zhang via Capture the Atlas)
"Sand Path" by Hugo Valle. (Courtesy of Hugo Valle via Capture the Atlas)
"Tombolo Milky Way" by Marc Rassel. (Courtesy of Marc Rassel via Capture the Atlas)
"Saoseo" by Alexander Forst. (Courtesy of Alexander Forst via Capture the Atlas)
Anna Mason is a writer based in England. She majored in literature and specializes in human interest, travel, lifestyle and content marketing. Anna enjoys storytelling, adventures, the Balearic sunshine and the Yorkshire rain.
