In Photos: 25 Stunning Milky Way Images Named World’s Best For 2026

InnovationScienceIn Photos: 25 Stunning Milky Way Images Named World’s Best For 2026ByJamie Carter,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky.Follow AuthorMay 17, 2026, 03:00am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This winter Milky Way panorama captures a sky filled with Geminid meteors above the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the largest optical telescope in the world, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain.Uroš FinkAstrophotography and astrotourism website Capture the Atlas has unveiled the 2026 edition of its annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year collection, showcasing 25 of the world’s most breathtaking images of the galaxy captured under dark skies across the globe.Now in its ninth year, the project continues to celebrate astrophotography while encouraging travelers and photographers to explore remote landscapes where the night sky remains visible.The 2026 edition marks a milestone for the project, receiving more than 6,500 submissions — the highest number in the competition’s history. The selected photographers represent 15 different nationalities, reflecting the growing global interest in astrophotography and dark-sky tourism.This scene was captured at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, in Chile’s Atacama Desert.Julien LootenStunning Locations Across The GlobeThis year’s winning images were captured in some of the most spectacular places on Earth across 12 countries and regions, including New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Chile, France, the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Poland, Italy, Mexico and Botswana.MORE FOR YOUSeveral photographs were taken in exceptionally remote or difficult-to-access locations. Among the standout images are scenes featuring the Milky Way above the Very Large Telescope in Paranal, Chile, and a rare image from the restricted Valle de la...