The 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year, organized by Capture the Atlas, received over 6,500 submissions from various landscapes worldwide. From these, 25 images were selected, showcasing 12 different regions, including the Canary Islands, New Zealand, and Argentina.
Dan Zafra, editor of Capture the Atlas and curator of the annual contest, stated, “Every year, this collection reminds us that photographing the Milky Way is not only about technique or planning. It is about curiosity, patience, and the desire to experience the night sky in places where it still feels wild. Many of these skies are becoming increasingly rare, and we hope these images inspire people not only to admire them, but also to value and protect them.”
Featured photographs and photographers
- Brendan Larsen: “Milky Way over Syme Hut and Mt. Taranaki” in Syme Hut, Mt Taranaki, New Zealand
- Max Terwindt: “Caldera Galaxy Panorama” in La Palma, Canary Islands
- Lukasz Remkowicz: “Milky Way over the Tatra Mountains” in Jurgów, Poland
- Leonel Padron: “Lost in the Ripples of Space and Time” in Pinnacles Desert, Nambung, Western Australia
- Anastasia Gulova: “Galaxy on the Rise” in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- Daniel Viñé Garcia: “My Perfect Night” in Catamarca, Argentina
- Anthony Lopez: “Celestial Light over Sea Cliffs” in Saint Raphaël, French Riviera
- Uroš Fink: “Geminid Symphony Over La Palma’s Guardian of the Sky” at Roque de los Muchachos GTC Telescope, La Palma
25 incredible photos of the Milky Way captured globally
