Summer is the best time to view the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere without a telescope. The key is finding a clear sky on moonless nights.
July and August are the prime months of the year for observing the Milky Way from the Northern Hemisphere, where the bright center of our galaxy becomes visible, but only for those in the right place at the right time. If the sky is clear, billions of stars can be seen arching across the night sky.
The Milky Way from Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. (Photo: Daniel Viñé Garcia).
Unfortunately, most people in North America and Europe do not have the opportunity to see the Milky Way unless they travel to a location with dark skies. It is also necessary to avoid bright moonlight, so only about 10 nights each month in the summer are suitable for easily seeing the Milky Way after dark. Therefore, it is no surprise that up to 80% of North Americans have never seen the Milky Way.
According to Capture The Atlas, you can see the Milky Way from the Northern Hemisphere from March to September, with this period extending an additional month in each hemisphere.
Generally, the Milky Way can be seen in the early morning from March to June and in the evening from July to early October, depending on your location. For instance, if you want to see the Milky Way in March, you will need to wake up at 4 AM. By September, you will only see the Milky Way after sunset.
Additionally, there are other factors to consider. You need a moonless night, ideally around the new moon phase.
This means that the best times to observe the Milky Way this summer and fall are on the following dates: June 28 – July 8, July 28 – August 7, August 26 – September 6, and September 24 – October 5.
Don’t forget to let your eyes adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes before looking at the sky. This means avoiding looking at your smartphone or any other bright light source after sunset. The best way to find a dark spot is to consult a light pollution map.
With a sufficiently dark sky, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye – but a good small telescope or a pair of binoculars can enhance your viewing experience and help you take advantage of some of the best stargazing opportunities in 2024. The farther south you go, the clearer the Milky Way will appear.
