Galaxy in Focus: 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year Winners Unveil Stunning Night Skies

The 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year winners showcase dramatic panoramas of the Milky Way’s center from around the world, including Geminid Symphony Over La Palma and Galactic Gandalf by Evan McKay, with entries from New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Yellowstone; the collection highlights astrophotographers’ craft—from long exposures and focus stacking to advanced gear—that reveal the Milky Way’s colors and structure across diverse landscapes.