The Milky Way fills the night sky with thousands of stars; it is so big that you can see it with the naked eye. Go to a dark and isolated place. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, look south; if you are in the southern hemisphere, look straight over your head. As you look at it, you can also try to spot individual stars, constellations, and other galaxies.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choosing a Suitable Night
Step 1. Search for the Milky Way between June and August
It will be summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. These are the best months to see it, because at this time it is not too close to the sun.
You may be able to see parts of the Milky Way as early as March and well into August. Between November and February, however, it is not visible
Step 2. Start observing the sky at least two hours after sunset and no later than two hours before sunrise
In the first hours after sunset and in those immediately before dawn, the sky is too clear; wait at least two hours after the sun has set before going out to look at the stars.
You can consult an almanac or weather forecast website to find out when the sun sets and rises on a particular day. Use this information to plan your overnight excursion
Step 3. Find a place with no light pollution
Light from buildings, streets and cars can prevent you from seeing the stars well. You should find a spot in the countryside, away from towns and main roads.
- Since the Milky Way appears in the southern sky, you should head south of any major city. This way, the city lights will not interfere with your observation of the sky.
- Nature reserves, mountains, deserts, and other uninhabited areas are great places to see the Milky Way.
- To find dark areas, you can use a light pollution map, like this one:
Step 4. Choose a moonless and cloudless night
You may not be able to see the Milky Way if the moon is too bright or if the sky is obscured by clouds. Choose a clear night, with a new or waxing moon.
- Most weather services can tell you how cloudy it will be and what phase the moon is in.
- There are also several apps to consult the phases of the moon, such as Daff luna and Mooncast.
Step 5. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness
Before starting to observe the sky, allow about 20 minutes to pass without using a flashlight, cell phone or other light source. The eyes need time to get used to the darkness and be able to see the stars well.
Part 2 of 4: See the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere
Step 1. Don't go too far north
It is very difficult to see the Milky Way above a latitude of 50 ° north. This area includes all the territories north of Normandy (France), Vancouver (Canada) and Inner Mongolia (China). Travel south for a better view.
Step 2. Look south
Use a compass or app on your phone to orient yourself. If you are looking at the Milky Way in the summer, you should see the first streaks of stars rise in the south. They will look like a white cloud of stars or a dense, misty mass that crosses the sky.
- If you look at the Milky Way in spring, turn slightly to the west. If it's autumn, look slightly east.
- Keep in mind that the Milky Way will not look like any images you may have seen. Cameras are able to record light and color better than the human eye.
Step 3. Focus on the horizon to locate the galaxy's core
It is the densest conglomeration of stars. If you are far north, the core may be partially covered by the horizon; if you are closer to the equator, it will be above the horizon.
Step 4. Look for the Swan's Rift
Looking into the core of the Milky Way, you may see some dark spots, visible only in the darkest skies: it is the so-called "Swan Rift" (or "Great Rift" in English), a band of dark nebulae that covers part of the galaxy.
Part 3 of 4: See the Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere
Step 1. Visit an area that is approximately -30 ° latitude
The best view of the Milky Way is in the southernmost parts of the Southern Hemisphere. These include the North Cape in South Africa, the Coquimbo region in Chile and New South Wales in Australia.
You can see the Milky Way in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere as well, but at that latitude you have the widest view
Step 2. Look southwest for star trails
They begin in the southwestern sky and continue to the northeast. Use a compass to find the right direction.
Step 3. Look straight above you to see the core
The center of the Milky Way will be right above your head - just look up to see it. It looks like a misty white cloud of stars.
You could bring a blanket with you, so you can lie down to watch more comfortably
Step 4. Search the dark spaces to find the Swan's Rift
It is most easily seen in the southern hemisphere, because the Milky Way is brighter here. It looks like dark streaks that seem to cut the star cluster in two.
Part 4 of 4: Enhancing the Experience
Step 1. Take a star map with you to find the constellations
Their visibility depends on the latitude and the season. A star map can tell you what you can find; look for a specific one for your location and time of year.
- Some interesting things you can see near the Milky Way are the constellations of Sagittarius and Swan, the Alpha Centauri star system and also two small galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds.
- You can buy a star map at a planetarium, science museum, or online.
- You can also use apps like Stellarium or SkyGuide, which automatically download star maps to your phone.
Step 2. Use binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look at the stars
Locate the Milky Way with the naked eye and then point the lens towards it. Then look through the viewer to see individual stars and galaxies up close.
Any size binoculars or telescope will do. At a larger magnification or aperture you will be able to see more detail, but you can still see individual stars even at low magnification
Step 3. Take a long exposure photograph with a digital camera
This way you will be able to capture the magnificent colors of the galaxy. To take a good photo, change the camera settings by increasing the exposure time and use the largest lens you have. For even better results, place the camera on a tripod. Aim the lens so that you have the widest possible view of the sky before taking the picture.
- If possible, adjust the shutter speed according to the size of the lens. Divide 500 by the diameter of your lens and use the result to set the shutter speed. For example, if the lens is 25mm, you need to set the speed to 20 seconds.
- You may need to adjust the contrast later to further enhance the image.
