2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year Winners Showcase Rare Night Sky Scenes
Capture the Atlas, a travel photography blog, has revealed the winners of the 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest, which received an unprecedented 6,500 entries. This year's showcase includes stunning images from 12 different countries, such as Australia, Spain, the United States, Poland, Italy, and Botswana. Photographers ventured into remote areas like New Zealand's Southern Alps, Argentina's deserts, and Chile's Atacama Desert to photograph the Milky Way. Among the highlights are rare captures, including the Milky Way over the Very Large Telescope in Chile and the UNESCO-listed Valle de la Luna in Argentina. Noteworthy photographers include Uroš Fink, Daniel Viñé Garcia, and others. Dan Zafra emphasized the importance of curiosity and patience in capturing the night sky, hoping to inspire the protection of dark skies.
Key facts
- Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest hosted by Capture the Atlas
- 2026 edition received over 6,500 submissions, a record for the contest
- Winning images from 12 countries and regions including Australia, Spain, USA, Poland, Italy, Botswana
- Photographers captured scenes from Southern Alps (New Zealand), Argentine deserts, Atacama Desert (Chile)
- Rare images include Milky Way above Very Large Telescope in Paranal, Chile
- Valle de la Luna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Argentina, featured
- Images show Perseids and Geminids meteor showers, giant fireballs, sea clouds
- Dan Zafra is editor of Capture the Atlas
- Notable photographers: Uroš Fink, Daniel Viñé Garcia, Baillie Farley, Tom Rae, Jason Rice, Stefano Pellegrini, Andrew Imhoff, Alejandra Heis, Luis Cajete, Max Terwindt, Gonzalo Javier Santile, Julien Looten, Brendan Larsen, Nacho Peláez, Anastasia Gulova, Leonel Padrón, Anthony Lopez, Owain Scullion
Entities
Artists
- Uroš Fink
- Daniel Viñé Garcia
- Baillie Farley
- Tom Rae
- Jason Rice
- Stefano Pellegrini
- Andrew Imhoff
- Alejandra Heis
- Luis Cajete
- Max Terwindt
- Gonzalo Javier Santile
- Julien Looten
- Brendan Larsen
- Nacho Peláez
- Anastasia Gulova
- Leonel Padrón
- Anthony Lopez
- Owain Scullion
- Dan Zafra
- Evan McKay
- Łukasz Remkowicz
- Josh Dury
- Alvin Wu
Institutions
- Capture the Atlas
- Very Large Telescope
- UNESCO
- Hopi Indian Reservation
Locations
- Australia
- Spain
- United States
- Poland
- Italy
- Botswana
- Southern Alps
- New Zealand
- Argentina
- Atacama Desert
- Chile
- Paranal
- Valle de la Luna
- La Palma
- Gran Telescopio Canarias
- Monfragüe National Park
- Baja California Sur
- Mexico
- San Juan Londo
- Sierra La Giganta
- Camino Real
- Pinnacles Desert
- Nambung
- Indian Ocean
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Mount Taranaki
- Fanthams Peak
- North Island
- Queenstown
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Florida
- Neuquén
- Copahue volcano
- Agrio River
- Salto del Agrio
- Antofalla
- Argentine Puna
- Cerro Paranal
- France
- United Kingdom
- Paranal, Chile
- Valle de la Luna, Argentina
- Baja California, Mexico
- Florida, United States
- La Palma, Spain