Milky Way Photography Competition Showcases Dark Skies as Venus‑Jupiter Conjunction Approaches

The Milky Way Photographer of the Year competition honoured 25 images captured in remote dark‑sky locations, ranging from the summit of the Gran Telescopio Canarias on La Palma (Spain) to a waterfall canyon in Neuquén Province (Argentina) and the Sierra La Giganta in Baja California (Mexico). Photographers described the challenges of harsh weather, snowfall and difficult access, noting moments such as, “Above us, the sky opened into a field of stars,” and that “images like this are carefully planned and patiently awaited.”

Meanwhile, astronomy educator Gary Boyle highlighted upcoming celestial events: a Venus‑Jupiter close approach on June 6‑7, described as “spooky eyes,” Saturn’s early‑morning visibility, and a Blue Moon on May 31. He explained the distances involved—Venus and Jupiter will be about 719 million km apart—and offered guidance for stargazing around new moons to see the Milky Way.