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The honorees for the 2025Milky mode Photographer of the Year contestare in , and they ’re arresting .
Created in 2018 by photographer Dan Zafra , the competition showcases shots of theMilky Waytaken from around the globe , play up gorgeous landscapes on Earth laid out under the twinkling dark sky . This twelvemonth ’s achiever include snap from places as diverse as Namibia , the Himalayas , New Zealand and Yemen . There ’s even a photograph taken from infinite .
“Starlit Ocean”
Photographer : Xingyang Cai
localisation : Big Sur , California
This exposure , title " Starlit Ocean : A Comet , the setting Venus , the Milky Way , and McWay Falls , " was taken during theapproach of Comet Tsuchinshan - ATLAS(C/2023 A3 ) in gloaming 2024 . The comet streaks above the Pacific and a plant Venus at McWay Falls in Big Sur .
“Cosmic Fire”
Photographer : Sergio Montúfar
localisation : Acatenango vent , Guatemala
Photographer Sergio Montúfar captured this arresting ikon of two type of ardour in the sky at Acatenango vent in Guatemala in June 2024 . " Above , theMilky Waystretched diagonally across the sky , a mesmerizing ring of stars contrast with the topsy-turvyness below , " Montúfar wrote in his verbal description of the photograph . " As the volcano erupted , the ash tree plume rose vertically , forming an discriminating slant of about 45 degree with the galaxy ’s diagonal path , create a stunning ocular line between Earth ’s vehemence and the universe ' placidity . "
Montúfar used a wide - angle lens ( f/2.8 ) , an ISO of 3200 , and a 10 - second exposure to capture the visible light of the Milky Way and the light of the vent at the same time .
“Blossom”
Photographer : Ethan Su
Location : Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park , Taiwan
An detonation of alpine rhododendron leave a stunning foreground to this scene of the Milky Way from Mount Hehuan in central Taiwan . Asolar flarefrom the sunspot AR3664 add up a slight airglow to the scene , while cloud kibosh light pollution from remote urban areas .
“One in a Billion”
lensman : Don Pettit
Location : Earth orbit
Astronaut Don Pettit get this image of Earth against the Milky Way from the Cupola of theInternational Space Station . urban center lights seem to mirror the precious stone - same luminescence of the galaxy in the background of the image . " There are over eight billion people that call this satellite dwelling , " Pettit wrote . " There are seven of us that can say the same for [ the ] Space Station . What a privilege it is to be here . "
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“Bottle Tree Paradise”
Photographer : Benjamin Barakat
placement : Socotra , Yemen
Four geezerhood of reconnoiter Socotra , a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean , lead photographer Benjamin Barakat to this plantation of nursing bottle Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Dendrosicyos socotranus ) , a metal money that ’s unique to the island . These trees ' thick trunks admit them to stack away weewee to survive Socotra ’s dry mood . The whitish Way decorates this one - in - a - galaxy site like a bangle of jewel .
“Lake RT5”
Photographer : Tanay Das
Location : Zanskar , Himalayas
heavenly fire and Earthly ice meet in this shot taken at Lake RT5 , which sit 18,700 feet ( 5,700 meters ) high in the Himalayas . Photographer Tanay Das camp by this lake to capture this shot of the Milky Way . " I was in awe of the incredible airglow illuminating the Himalayan skies , " Das wrote . " The raw icon had even more acute colors , but I tone up them down to stay truthful to reality . This was undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable nights I ’ve ever spend in the centre of the Himalayas . "
“A Sea of Lupines”
Photographer : Max Inwood
Location : Lake Tekapo , New Zealand
Lupines bloom on New Zealand ’s South Island in a purple fete for the eyes . The dark skies of New Zealand ’s Mackenzie Basin — along with a lot of longanimity — enabled this shot .
" I had to wait until the early hours of the break of day for the wind to calm down , but finally everything became still , and I was able to enchant this image , " photographer Max Inwood wrote . " Above the flowers , you could see the circle of the outer Milky Way , alongside the constellations Orion , Gemini , and the Pleiades . join them are the bright satellite Jupiter and Mars , with a strong display of green airglow seeable along the horizon . "
“Spines and Starlight”
lensman : Burak Esenbey
Location : Karas part , Namibia
The Milky Way jactitate across the sky behind cacti and two quiver trees ( Aloidendron dichotomum ) in Namibia . This was lensman Burak Esenbey ’s 2nd photography trip to the area , and he find this situation on a location - scouting sashay . " get everything in focal point was a bit thought-provoking , as I had to get highly close to the cactus without getting poke , " he wrote in his description of the simulacrum .
“Boot Arch Perseids”
Photographer : Mike Abramyan
Location : Alabama Hills , California
lensman Mike Abramyan wanted to snap thePerseid meteoroid showerfrom the Canadian Rockies , but wildfire drove him westwards and southward to California ’s Eastern Sierra , where he captured this stunning image of the Milky means superimposed with each meteoroid he photographed — as if they ’d all streak across the sky at the same time .
“Universo de Sal”
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Photographer : Alejandra Heis
localisation : Jujuy , Argentina
lensman Alejandra Heis learn this photograph while travel across Argentina ’s iconic localisation . The salt flats of Salinas Grandes in northerly Argentina begged for a nighttime photoshoot , despite the challenges of camping on desiccated salinity flats at an top of nearly 17,000 animal foot ( 5,200 m ) . " I believe I have n’t truly experienced a place until I see it at night , " Heis wrote . " dark finger more intimate , mysterious , and adventurous — a moment when the senses sharpen and you connect with your surroundings in a deeper way of life . "
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