Capture the Atlas holds its yearly Milky Way photo contest in late May, aligning with the best time to see the galactic center in both hemispheres.
The competition, now in its sixth year, rates entries based on image quality and the story behind the photograph, aiming to motivate others to capture their own stunning pictures.
From over 3,000 submissions, the selection committee has chosen 25 tempting images for this year’s shortlist.
These breathtaking photographs were taken in 16 different countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar, Chile, Argentina, Namibia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Spain, Slovenia, Japan, Iran, Peru, Yemen, and Indonesia.
While all 25 featured images can be found on Capture the Atlas, here are 15 selected photographs, along with details about the photographer, location, and a brief description.
‘Cafayate Star Factory’ by Gonzalo Javier Santile
Gonzalo Santile captured “Cafayate Star Factory” in Argentina. This striking photograph depicts the Milky Way arching out of a rocky chimney in the Cafayate Desert.
The photographer used a modified Nikon D750 camera with a Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 zoom lens to capture the image. The modified camera enhanced the reddish colors of the Milky Way.
By using a star tracker, the photographer exposed the sky for 43 seconds, resulting in a stunning composition.
The Cathedral Light Show by Roksolyana Hilevych
Roksolyana Hilevych’s “The Cathedral Light Show” was captured in Tenerife, Spain. This captivating photograph features a stunning meteor captured by chance, beautifully juxtaposed against a mountain shaped like a cathedral, and vibrant blooming tajinastes in the foreground.
‘The La Palma Astroexperience’ by Jakob Sahner
Jakob Sahner’s “The La Palma Astroexperience” was photographed in Spain. The elevated mountains provide clear skies, ideal for capturing the Milky Way, while the clouds below create a serene ocean-like blanket.
‘The Eyes of the Universe’ by Mihail Minkov
Mihail Minkov captured “The Eyes of the Universe” in Bulgaria. This remarkable photograph offers a glimpse of what it would be like if both the summer and winter versions of the Milky Way appeared simultaneously in the sky.
Minkov accomplished this by taking pictures from the same location during different seasons and seamlessly blending them into a mesmerizing 360-degree panorama.
‘Lut Glow’ by Isabella Tabacchi
Isabella Tabacchi captured “Lut Glow” in Iran. This remarkable photograph showcases a striking rock formation reaching toward the Milky Way in the sky above the Lut Desert, further enhanced by a captivating green airglow.
‘Milky Way Rising Over Stony River and Mt. Taranaki’ by Brendan Larsen
Brendan Larsen’s “Milky Way Rising over Stony River & Mt Taranaki” was captured in New Zealand. The photographer patiently waited until 2:30 in the morning for the perfect alignment of the Milky Way with Mount Taranaki, resulting in astonishing colors in the photograph.
‘South of Home’ by Lorenzo Ranieri Tenti
Lorenzo Ranieri Tenti took “South of Home” in Namibia, Africa. This photograph showcases a formation of sleek granite boulders in the Gross Spitzkoppe Nature Reserve, beautifully complementing the arched Milky Way, which has a captivating golden glow.
‘The Scenery I Wanted to See’ by Mitsuhiro Okabe
Mitsuhiro Okabe captured “The Scenery I Wanted to See” in Yamagashi Prefecture, Japan. This photograph showcases the Milky Way gracefully suspended over Mount Fuji, a temple, and cherry blossoms in full bloom.
‘The Bottle Tree Portal’ by Benjamin Barakat
Benjamin Barakat photographed “The Bottle Tree Portal” in Socotra, Yemen. This captivating image features gnarled trees that create an unearthly atmosphere, resembling an alien planet.
The pink flowers of the trees beautifully complement the pink tones in the night sky.
‘Milky Way Over Cuenca’s Hoodoos’ by Luis Cajete
Luis Cajete captured “Milky Way over Cuenca’s Hoodoos” in Cuenca, Spain. The Serrania de Cuenca region offers remarkably dark skies, providing an ideal setting for capturing the beauty of the Milky Way. The rugged terrain of the area creates a stunning foreground for the photograph.
‘Interstellar’ by Jose Luis Cantabrana Garcia
Jose Luis Cantabrana Garcia photographed “Interstellar” in the Pinnacles Desert, Western Australia. This image illustrates the success of the Capture the Atlas photo competition, as the photographer was motivated to visit this remarkable location by a previous participant.
‘The Cactus Valley’ by Pablo Ruiz GarcÃa
Pablo Ruiz Garcia captured “The Cactus Valley” in Atacama, Chile. This photograph shows the coexistence of the Milky Way with the Gum Nebula and the Magellanic Clouds in the night sky.
‘Night Under the Baobab Trees’ by Steffi Lieberman
Steffi Lieberman photographed “Night under the Baobab Trees” in Baobab Avenue, Madagascar. This captivating image showcases the entire arc of the Milky Way stretching across the unique treetops of the baobab trees.
‘The Night Train’ by Alexander Forst
Alexander Forst captured “The Night Train” in Graubünden, Switzerland. This photograph ingeniously combines separate images taken at different times to create a stunning composition.
The night sky, the train, the train’s lights, and the background of the Wiesener Viaduct were all meticulously overlaid into one image to ensure the best possible result.
‘The Night Train’ by Alexander Forst
Gary Bhaztara captured “Gigi Hiu Shining In The Dark” in Sumatra, Indonesia. This photograph was taken at Shark Teeth Beach, named after its jagged rock formations.
These formations create a striking contrast against the magnificent Milky Way shining overhead.
