The Milky Way photographer of the year

The images were selected in a contest organized by the platform Capture the Atlas. These photographs were highlighted as the most inspiring, offering views captured across 12 different regions. The contest is organized by photographer Dan Zafra, the platform's editor, and has been running since 2018, consistently showcasing the best images of the Milky Way captured from Earth. This year is no exception; out of 6,500 submissions, 25 photographs were chosen for their outstanding artistic quality. Curiosity, patience, and an interest in exploring the night sky are some of the qualities needed to capture these types of photographs, which rely on more than just equipment quality, technique, and planning. The chance to see the Milky Way so clearly is becoming increasingly rare due to light pollution, making these images a truly extraordinary view of the heavens. To capture them, photographers had to venture into remote areas; consequently, they share not only the images and techniques used but also the stories of their adventures. Hours of climbing or navigating rugged trails—alongside the time spent waiting in extreme conditions—are all part of the story behind these images.