The 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest has unveiled its winners, showcasing 25 awe-inspiring images that celebrate the beauty of our galaxy. Hosted by the travel photography blog Capture the Atlas, this prestigious competition is now in its eighth year and continues to shine a light on the extraordinary talent of night sky photographers from around the world.
This year’s contest received an impressive 6,000 submissions from photographers representing 16 different nationalities. The winning photos were taken in 25 diverse and stunning locations, including Chile, the United States, Greece, Switzerland, Guatemala, New Zealand, Yemen, Chad, India, and Namibia. Notably, for the first time, the collection also features a breathtaking photo captured from space.
Each photograph tells a unique story—some frame rare celestial events like a comet streaking across the sky, a meteor shower lighting up the night, or the haunting glow of a lunar eclipse. These elements, combined with dramatic landscapes and impeccable timing, create images that are both technically impressive and emotionally powerful.
Dan Zafra, the editor of Capture the Atlas, curated the final selection with a focus on image quality, storytelling, and the inspiration each shot offers. According to Zafra, the project’s mission is to inspire people to reconnect with the night sky and to encourage photographers to push creative boundaries by capturing the Milky Way from fresh perspectives.
This year’s winning images are not just photographs—they are windows into the vast, mysterious universe above us, captured through the lens of artists who spend countless hours chasing the perfect shot. They serve as a reminder of the beauty that lies beyond our daily lives and the magic waiting in the stars.
Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.
You can find more info about Capture The Atlas:
#1. “One in a Billion” by Don Pettit
ISS (International Space Station) – "I float in the Cupola, looking out the seven windows composing this faceted transparent jewel. While my mind is submerged in contemplation, my eyes gorge on the dim reflections from a nighttime Earth. There are over eight billion people that call this planet home. There are seven of us that can say the same for Space Station. What a privilege it is to be here. I used an orbital star tracker to take out the star streak motion from orbit."
#2. “Tololo Lunar Eclipse Sky” by Petr Horálek
Cerro Tololo Observatory, Chile – "On March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse occurred, especially visible over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean. I was fortunate to observe this particular eclipse from the NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. You can see how epic the sky was during totality, as the Moon darkened enough for the majestic Milky Way, the faint belt of Zodiacal Light, and prominent airglow to stand out."
#3. “Boot Arch Perseids” by Mike Abramyan
Alabama Hills, CA, USA – "The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every August, raining down hundreds of meteors over a few nights. In 2024, I had planned to photograph it from the Canadian Rockies, but wildfires forced me to change my plans at the last minute. After checking wildfire maps, I found a safe haven in the Eastern Sierra Nevada."
#4. “Bottle Tree Paradise” by Benjamin Barakat
Socotra, Yemen – "Socotra is one of my favorite places on Earth, but when it comes to a specific location, this one stands out. It doesn’t have an official name, as it’s not a destination for the few fortunate tourists who visit Socotra. After shooting there for the past four years and scouting the island, I’ve discovered hidden gems like this one, which I call Bottle Tree Paradise."
#5. “Double Milky Way Arch Over Matterhorn” by Angel Fux
Zermatt, Switzerland – "This image captures the rare Double Arch Milky Way, where both the Winter Milky Way (with Orion rising) and the Summer Milky Way (with the Galactic Center) appear in the same night—a seamless transition between seasons."
#6. “Valle de los Cactus” by Pablo Ruiz
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile – "A panoramic shot of the Milky Way in a remote area of the Atacama Cactus Valley, known for its large concentration of cactus plants. I love this place with its countless possibilities. The panorama was taken just as the galactic center began to rise, with the spectacular Gum Nebula visible on the right."
#7. “Cosmic Fire” by Sergio Montúfar
Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala – "On the early morning of June 2, 2024, I summited Acatenango Volcano for the first time, hoping to witness the fiery beauty of the neighboring Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way’s backdrop. That night, the volcano was incredibly active—each thunderous explosion reverberated in my chest, while glowing lava illuminated the dark slopes."
#8. “A Sea of Lupines” by Max Inwood
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand – "The annual lupine bloom in New Zealand is spectacular, with fields of colorful flowers stretching across the Mackenzie Basin. This region, located in the heart of the South Island, is renowned for its dark skies, making the scene even more surreal at night."
#9. “Diamond Beach Emerald Sky” by Brent Martin
Great Ocean Road, Australia – "With a clear night forecast and the Milky Way core returning for 2025, I set out to explore the Great Ocean Road. After a few setbacks—such as a failed composition and getting the car stuck on a sandy track—I almost gave up. However, I pushed on and found a great spot above the beach to capture the scene."
#10. “Blosoom” by Ethan Su
Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park, Taiwan – "After three years of waiting, the Yushan alpine rhododendrons are finally in bloom once again on Taiwan’s 3,000-meter-high Hehuan Mountain. On this special night, distant clouds helped block city light pollution, revealing an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way. A solar flare from active region AR3664 reached Earth that evening, intensifying the airglow and adding an otherworldly touch to the sky."
#11. “The Night Guardians” by Rositsa Dimitrova
Easter Island, Chile – "Easter Island had been on my bucket list for a long time, and it once seemed almost impossible to reach. On our first night there, the weather forecast looked promising, so we decided to go ahead with the tour our group had booked 4–5 months earlier. However, Rapa Nui sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable. When we woke up at 3 a.m. in our hotel, the sky was completely covered in clouds. Still, we decided to take the risk, knowing the forecast for the next few nights was even worse."
#12. “Fortress of Light” by Mauricio Salazar
Jujuy, Argentina – "Since I started shooting the night sky, I’ve always sought out landscapes that feel like they belong to another planet — remote, untouched, and far from light pollution. That’s exactly what I found in “The Cathedral,” a surreal rock formation in Jujuy, Argentina."
#13. “Glimpse of colors” by Tomas Slovinsky
South Crete, Greece – "Nature is truly amazing, creating breathtaking scenery that leaves us speechless. I took this picture during my last astrophotography workshop in Crete. With pleasant temperatures around 25°C, I spent my time lying on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves, and gazing at the sky, completely free from light pollution."
#14. “Evolution of Stars” by Kavan Chay
Otago, New Zealand – "The first image I captured from this spot is the one I feel truly kickstarted my astrophotography journey years ago. It was the first time I shot a tracked panorama using a “longer” focal length lens (50mm). The set of sea stacks provided a prominent foreground subject facing the right direction, and being a local spot relatively free of light pollution, it was the perfect location to capture the Milky Way core."
#15. “The Wave” by Luis Cajete
Coyote Buttes, UT, USA – "One of my greatest passions is visiting stunning natural wonders and paying my personal tribute to them through night photography. This image was taken at Coyote Buttes, a geological masterpiece located in Arizona, where special access permits are required to protect it for future generations."
#16. “Winter Fairy Tale” by Uroš Fink
Dobratsch Nature Park, Austria – "Undoubtedly my wildest location this winter: Austria’s Dobratsch mountain! If I had to describe it in two words, it would be a “Winter Fairytale”! Despite a 5 a.m. work shift, I drove to Austria by 1 p.m., worried about my fitness and lack of sleep. After a 2-hour hike through the snow with a 22kg backpack and sled, the stunning views kept me energized."
#17. “Galaxy of the Stone Array” by Alvin Wu
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand – "The Milky Way hangs over the sea. The night sky of the Southern Hemisphere condenses the poetry of Li Bai, a poet from China’s Tang Dynasty, into eternity. On a clear night, the Milky Way pours down over the sea like a waterfall from the sky, intertwining with the atmospheric glow on the water’s surface."
#18. “Echiwile Arch” by Vikas Chander
Ennedi, Chad – "When one first Googles information about visiting Chad, the results aren’t very encouraging from a safety perspective. Nevertheless, the intrepid astrophotographer in me decided to take the chance and visit this landlocked country, specifically the Ennedi Massif in the north."
#19. “Universo de Sal” by Alejandra Heis
Jujuy, Argentina – "Some time ago, I set out to travel across my country, Argentina, and visit its most iconic places—but I wanted to show them in a different way. I believe I haven’t truly experienced a place until I see it at night. Nighttime feels more intimate, mysterious, and adventurous—a moment when the senses sharpen and you connect with your surroundings in a deeper way."
#20. “Lake RT5” by Tanay Das
Zanskar, Himalayas – "Lake RT5 is a pristine alpine lake nestled at 5,700 meters above sea level. My passion has always been to capture the unseen Himalayas in their rawest form. This journey led us through rugged mountains and glaciers, where we discovered several unknown alpine lakes and named them along the way."
#21. “A Stellar View From The Cave” by Anthony Lopez
Saint Raphael, France – "Framed by the rugged mouth of a coastal cave, this image captures the heart of the Milky Way rising over the Mediterranean Sea. Taken during the peak of the Galactic Core season last May, it blends the natural beauty of the foreground with the awe-inspiring vastness of the cosmos. A winding road, illuminated by passing cars, creates a dynamic trail of light that guides the eye toward the stars above."
#22. “Spines and Starlight” by Burak Esenbey
Kanaan, Namibia – "On our second Namibia Photography Tour, we began our journey once again at one of our favorite spots in Kanaan. Last year was an incredible experience, but this time, we decided to explore more of this vast land."
#23. “Un Destello en la Oscuridad” by Luis Merino
Comarca del Matarraña, Spain – "In my quest to find new places to practice this beautiful hobby, I discovered this corner, which, with a touch of light, transformed into a dreamlike scene. The lighting highlighted every detail: a stream carved by water, which usually flows forcefully after heavy rains, was now a peaceful calm; and although the Milky Way didn’t fully unfold, the galactic center appeared framed like a radiant beacon in the vastness of the night sky. The gentle croak of the frogs provided the natural soundtrack to this experience, making each moment feel unique and filled with magic."
#24. “Stairway to Heaven” by Marcin Rosadziński
Madeira Island, Portugal – "Taken in April 2024 on Madeira Island, this photo is a 14-panel mosaic (7 for the sky, 7 for the foreground). It shows the arc of the Milky Way over a rocky hill, giving the impression it’s suspended in the air."
#25. “Starlit Ocean: A Comet, the setting Venus, the Milky Way, and McWay Falls” by Xingyang Cai
California, USA – "Capturing this image was a race against time, light, and distance. With Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) making its approach, I knew I had a rare opportunity to see it with the naked eye before it faded into the cosmos. I embarked on a five-hour round trip to McWay Falls in Big Sur, one of the few Bortle 2 locations accessible along California’s coast."
