This winter Milky Way panorama captures a sky filled with Geminid meteors above the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the largest optical telescope in the world, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain.
Uroš Fink
Astrophotography and astrotourism website Capture the Atlas has unveiled the 2026 edition of its annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year collection, showcasing 25 of the world’s most breathtaking images of the galaxy captured under dark skies across the globe.
Now in its ninth year, the project continues to celebrate astrophotography while encouraging travelers and photographers to explore remote landscapes where the night sky remains visible.
The 2026 edition marks a milestone for the project, receiving more than 6,500 submissions — the highest number in the competition’s history. The selected photographers represent 15 different nationalities, reflecting the growing global interest in astrophotography and dark-sky tourism.
This scene was captured at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Julien LootenStunning Locations Across The Globe
This year’s winning images were captured in some of the most spectacular places on Earth across 12 countries and regions, including New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Chile, France, the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Poland, Italy, Mexico and Botswana.
Several photographs were taken in exceptionally remote or difficult-to-access locations. Among the standout images are scenes featuring the Milky Way above the Very Large Telescope in Paranal, Chile, and a rare image from the restricted Valle de la Luna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Argentina. Another notable image was captured in Sierra La Giganta, Baja California, Mexico, while another photographer documented one of the first night images ever taken from a canyon inside the Hopi Indian Reservation.
This photograph captures the first full Milky Way arch ever taken at Valle Fértil, Argentina.
Gonzalo Javier SantileRare Astronomical Events Captured
Beyond dramatic landscapes, the 2026 collection also showcases remarkable astronomical and natural phenomena. Photographers captured the Perseids and Geminids meteor showers, a giant fireball streaking across the Florida coastline, and the Milky Way glowing above thousands of fireflies in Italy.
One especially striking image features the galaxy rising above a sea of clouds in La Palma, creating an almost surreal scene.
This photograph was captured in the heart of the Sierra La Giganta, in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Nacho Peláez PhotographyA Celebration Of Dark Skies
“Every year, this collection reminds us that photographing the Milky Way is not only about technique or planning. It is about curiosity, patience, and the desire to experience the night sky in places where it still feels wild,” said Dan Zafra, editor of Capture the Atlas. “Many of these skies are becoming increasingly rare, and we hope these images inspire people not only to admire them, but also to value and protect them.”
Zafra also emphasized the growing importance of protecting dark skies from increasing light pollution, noting that many of the locations featured in the collection are becoming increasingly rare.
The Milky Way from Botswana.
Stefano PellegriniLight Pollution And When To See The Milky Way
According to scientists, light pollution is one of humanity’s most visible environmental changes — and it’s increasing by 2% each year.
The Milky Way season generally runs from February through October in the Northern Hemisphere and January through November in the Southern Hemisphere, with May and June offering some of the longest viewing windows.
The Milky Way from the Hopi Reservation, Northern Arizona, U.S.
Andrew Imhoff
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.