We can't solve all the mysteries of the cosmos, but we can appreciate its beauty and complexity. Luckily, Milky Way photography lets us gaze into the sky in all its glory. So today, we would like to share some of the most beautiful Milky Way photographs of 2023.
"Capture The Atlas" has announced the sixth edition of Milky Way Photographer of the Year competition winners, who captured the most beautiful sights around the globe in the night sky. This time you are going to see various places that range from the remote deserts of Socotra, Madagascar, Atacama, and Namibia to the lost landscapes of Patagonia, Australia, and New Zealand. So without further ado, we invite you to explore this astonishing collection.
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“The Scenery I Wanted To See” – Mitsuhiro Okabe
Yamagashi Prefecture, Japan.
"Mount Fuji, Japan’s iconic symbol,
dominates the backdrop of this image, set during cherry blossom season.
Amidst the landscape, you can see a sacred temple dedicated to honoring
the spirits of the departed. And there, against the dark canvas of the
night sky, the ethereal beauty of the Milky Way came into view."
“Night Under The Baobab Trees” – Steffi Lieberman
Baobab Avenue, Madagascar.
"Astro landscape panorama from Madagascar. Here you see the complete Milky Way arc over the imposing baobabs.
This
photo means a lot to me, and I can’t even begin to tell you how
difficult it was to take it. From the road conditions to the armed
security guards protecting you while you take photos, everything about
it was an adventure."
“Alien Forest” – Marcin Zając
Mono Lake, California.
"These strange, cream-colored rock towers
located near Mono Lake are called tufas. They formed when underwater
springs that are rich in calcium mixed with the waters of the lake,
which are rich in carbonates. The resulting reaction formed limestone.
Over time, the buildup of limestone formed towers, and when the lake’s
water level dropped, the towers became exposed."
“Milky Way Rising Over Stony River & Mt Taranaki” – Brendan Larsen
Taranaki, New Zealand.
"Getting the Milky Way lined up over Mount
Taranaki in New Zealand from this location in early March meant a late
night as it didn’t line up until 2:30 in the morning in the morning, but
I was keen to make the most of the perfectly clear skies on that night.
I’m
really pleased with how many colors I was able to capture with my
camera, filters, and long exposures. Rho Ophiuchi in Scorpius looks
really good with its pink, yellow, and blue colors, along with the Zeta
Ophiuchi Nebula (the pinkish nebula to the lower left of the image came
out well too). On the lower right of the image, there’s some nice
airglow, which adds to the beauty and uniqueness of the sky that night."
“Wind River Nights” – Brandt Ryder
Wind River, USA.
"The Wind River Range, unlike the Tetons, is one
of the hidden gems of Wyoming. This location had captured my
imagination for years, but I tended to shy away from it because it is
notorious for having some of the worst mosquitoes in the world.
Regardless of this, this past June I finally made the trek, and the trip
was one I’ll remember for a lifetime, bugs and all.
This image
was taken at a sheltered lake deep in the wilderness where the
reflections were so pristine that it’s nearly impossible to separate the
sky from the earth. Memories like this hold an extra special place in
my heart as I was able to share this spectacular spot with my
7-year-old.
I can still hear her words ringing in my ears “Daddy
this must be the most beautiful place on earth”. Yes, little one, it is,
it is."
“Interstellar” – Jose Luis Cantabrana Garcia
Pinnacles Desert, WA, Australia.
"I had dreamed of visiting this
location ever since I saw the breathtaking images captured by Michael
Goh, also known as “Astrophotobear,” whose work has also been featured
as part of this contest in previous years.
‘Interstellar’
captures not only the epic beauty of this desert location and the night
sky, but also the personal sense of wonder and accomplishment that comes
from checking off a long-awaited destination from my list.
This
area is sacred to the Noongar people, the traditional owners of this
land, and in the past, it was only accessible to women. The story goes
that these limestone rocks are nothing but petrified ghosts of the men
who dared to enter and were then eternally punished by the gods.
These
timeless guardians stand tall and proud, reaching toward the starry sky
above. As the summer Milky Way stretches across the night sky, these
ancient ghosts seem to bridge the earthly world with the interstellar
realm beyond."
“Winter’s Airglow” – Larryn Rae
Southern Alps, New Zealand.
"This was some of the craziest
airglow I have ever seen! Airglow is when atoms get charged and excited
in the upper atmosphere by the sun and emit this wonderful color and
cloud-like pattern.
This image happened by pure accident while I
was waiting for a friend to arrive at another location. I thought while
waiting that I would take some shots at this lake on the way, and as
soon as I had the first image on the screen, I knew I was about to
capture something pretty amazing! An hour later, after scouting a good
composition, I had my panorama in the bag. This is a testament to
expecting the unexpected and to always taking a shot, even when it’s not
your planned destination!"
“Quiver Dreams” – Peter Hoszang
Keetmanshoop, Namibia.
"This is an image I’ve been looking
forward to capturing for so long. I’m happy to finally be able to share a
photo displaying the magical quiver trees along with the pristine
Namibian night sky.
The quiver tree, or kokerboom, is a tall,
branching species of succulent plant indigenous to Southern Africa,
specifically the Northern Cape province of South Africa and parts of
Southern Namibia. One of the few forests of kokerboom is the Quiver Tree
Forest, close to Keetmanshoop in Namibia.
In the sky, on the
left side, you can see part of the Milky Way galaxy and the Large
Magellanic Cloud, a relatively small, irregular galaxy in the
neighborhood of the Milky Way (on the right)."
“The Cathedral Light Show” – Roksolyana Hilevych
Tenerife, Spain.
"Sometimes it takes a bit of luck. This was
definitely the best moment I’ve ever had during a nighttime session;
this only happens once in a lifetime. However, I really hope to be able
to see the fireball again someday!
It was the first and only time
I saw such a bright meteor. It lit up everything around it, making it
seem like daytime for a few seconds. Luckily, at the moment it appeared,
I was photographing the core of the Milky Way.
Right after I
finished capturing the Milky Way with a star tracker, I took a close-up
shot of the tajinastes in full bloom. The photo also includes this
particular mountain in the background that resembles a cathedral."
“South Of Home” – Lorenzo Ranieri Tenti
Namibia, Africa.
"My journey to Namibia, particularly the Erongo
area, was an extraordinary adventure, immersing me in the captivating
beauty of the southern night sky. The panoramic photograph captures the
breathtaking scene in the Gross Spitzkoppe Nature Reserve, where the
southern Milky Way gracefully spans a remarkable formation of smooth
granite boulders. This area holds a unique charm, with Mount Spitzkoppe
being the sole prominent feature for kilometers, majestically rising 700
meters above the endless savannah.
As I explored the surrounding
savannah, far from my tent and trusty 4×4 that served as my home during
this adventure, I stumbled upon this spectacular rock formation.
Instantly, a composition formed in my mind, as I knew that the Milky Way
would cross this landscape that night. Excitement consumed me as I
prepared for the shot, eagerly awaiting the moon’s descent.
In
the midst of emotion and adrenaline, typical of such starry nights, I
began capturing the scene. As the long night drew to a close, I deeply
appreciated the precious gift bestowed upon me by the African night, a
world away from my home."
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