Summer is prime time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere. Clear, dark skies on moonless nights are key. During July and August, the galaxy’s bright center is visible, but only in the right place at the right time. If conditions are ideal, you can see billions of stars arching across the night sky.
However, most people in North America and Europe need to travel to dark-sky locations to see the Milky Way. Only about 10 moonless nights per month in summer are suitable for viewing. Consequently, an estimated 80% of North Americans have never seen it.
According to Capture The Atlas, the Milky Way is visible from the Northern Hemisphere from March to September, with the window extending a month on either side for the Southern Hemisphere. Latitude affects visibility: generally, it’s visible in the early morning from March to June and in the evening from July to early October. For instance, in March, it’s visible around 4 a.m., while in September, it’s an after-sunset event.
Key factors include moonless nights, particularly the 10 nights around the new moon — from the last quarter moon to three nights after the new moon. Here are the best dates for viewing this summer and fall: – June 28 – July 8 – July 28 – Aug. 7 – Aug. 26 – Sept. 6 – Sept. 24 – Oct. 5
Consider sunset and sunrise times, especially in July and August, as they limit darkness hours. Complete darkness is essential for a good view. Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark for at least 20 minutes before starting. Avoid looking at smartphones or other bright lights after sunset. Use tools like Dark Sky’s Find a Dark Sky Place, Dark Site Finder, or a light pollution map to find a good spot.
With dark skies, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. However, a small telescope or stargazing binoculars can help you zoom in on objects and enjoy some of 2024’s best stargazing opportunities.
The farther south you are, the deeper into the Milky Way you can see. For example, the constellation Sagittarius, which houses the galaxy’s central black hole, is low on the southern horizon in New York (41 degrees north) but appears 15 degrees higher in Miami (26 degrees north). Sagittarius rises in the southeast and then sinks as the night progresses.
