Can you see the Milky Way galaxy from Earth? Yes! And as stargazers and skywatchers know, it’s a stunning sight to see.
Comprised of billions of stars, the Milky Way galaxy got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. During “Milky Way season,” the billions of stars comprising our home galaxy appear especially vibrant. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States.
While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse.
Below are photos of the Milky Way galaxy as seen from Earth and information on how to see the stunning natural phenomenon.
What is the Milky Way galaxy? Stunning photos show what the Milky Way looks like in the sky
The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years.
“Milky Way season,” when the galaxy’s bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography website Capture the Atlas. However, the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is from March to September.
Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States, could have spectacular views of the Milky Way on clear nights with a new moon.
Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S.
Photos of the Milky Way galaxy visible from Earth
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Milky Way photos: Instagram-worthy images show our galaxy visible in the sky
Reporting by Eric Lagatta and Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
