These are the top ten stunning photos of the 2021 Milky Way Photographer of the Year

The Milky Way season is in full swing, and we’re slowly coming back to normal and traveling again in order to take photos. So, shall we celebrate with a set of stunning Milky Way photos? Wait, don’t answer that – of course we shall!

Capture the Atlas has selected the top ten images of the Milky Way taken all over the world. If you are planning an astrophotography trip soon, these will kickstart your inspiration. But even if you are staying home, you’ll still enjoy these photos and their otherworldly beauty.

Although there are only ten photos in the selection, they take you on a visual journey around the world. “From the remote deserts of the American Wild West to the unfamiliar landscapes of the Australian Outback, passing by spectacular glaciers, volcanoes, mountains, beaches…,” the contest page reads, “always with the Milky Way shining in the sky.” Dan Zafra, the editor of Capture the Atlas, curates these photos throughout the year. He looks not only for images taken by some of the most renowned photographers, but also for new talents and for new locations where the Milky Way hasn’t been photographed before, such as the Iguazu falls in this year’s edition.

I don’t know about you, but looking at these photos gave me itchy feet and a desire for calm, starry nights out of town with my partner and my camera. If you’ve got the itchy feet too, it’s high time you started planning your next photographic adventure. If you want the Milky Way to be its star, you can find some useful info on photographing it here and here. Enjoy more photos below, and let me know – where will your next photo adventure take you? Any plans?