🌟 Best places + months to photograph the Milky Way
Where and when to catch the galactic core. Ranked by season, latitude, and light pollution — based on visibility months and dark-sky proximity.
📍 Top 12 ranked destinations
Each card links to that city's detail page for the peak month — climate, sun times, golden-hour windows.
#1
🇺🇸
Houston, United States
★ 7
#2
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Phoenix, United States
★ 7
#3
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Philadelphia, United States
★ 7
#4
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San Diego, United States
★ 7
#5
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Austin, United States
★ 7
#6
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Minneapolis, United States
★ 7
#7
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New Orleans, United States
★ 7
#8
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Portland, United States
★ 7
#9
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Nashville, United States
★ 7
#10
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Honolulu, United States
★ 7
#11
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Calgary, Canada
★ 7
#12
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Ottawa, Canada
★ 7
📷 Gear
- Wide-angle fast lens (14-24mm at f/1.8-2.8 ideal)
- Tripod, intervalometer or app-based timer
- Manual focus to infinity using a bright star
- Settings: ISO 3200-6400, shutter 15-25 sec (use 500-rule or NPF rule for sharp stars)
💡 Pro tips
New-moon nights only. Galactic core rises in the south (or north, in the southern hemisphere). Best months: May-August for Northern Hemisphere; Feb-September for Southern Hemisphere. Drive 1-2 hours out from any major city.