Look: Stunning images from the 2024 Milky way Photographer of the year

Atmospheric fireworks in Dordogne, France by Julien Looten. Travel photography site Capture The Atlas has just revealed a selection of incredible shots of the Milky Way taken by photographers worldwide. The best time to see and photograph the Milky Way is usually between May and June, with the maximum hours of visibility on both hemispheres.

“The vanity of life” by Mihail Minkov taken in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan.

“Desert Bloom” by Marcin Zajac Goblin Valley State Park, Utah. Wildflowers blooming in front of a group of hoodoos called the Three Sisters in Goblin Valley State Park in Utah. The park, located in a remote corner of the Colorado Plateau and away from major urban centers, yields one of the darkest skies in the country.

“Milky Way at Morning Glory Pool” by Jerry Zhang, Yellowstone National Park, USA.

“Mungo Dreamtime” by John Rutter, Mungo National Park, NSW, Australia. This Mars-like landscape is the shores of Ancient Lake Mungo, housing the oldest human remains outside Africa—a significant site for all humankind.

“The Kingdom of Perun” by Tervel Kutsev . The Pirin Mountain, Bulgaria

“The Lions Den” by Lorenzo Ranieri , Atacama Desert, Chile. This image was captured during an adventurous night on the plateau of the Atacama Desert, a potentially dangerous area due to its designation as a mountain lion reserve.

“Mother Juniper” by Benjamin Barakat , Jebel Shams, Oman.