The best time to see the Milky Way this summer is here

A moonless sky will make it easier to see the Milky Way’s faint glow this week, but most people will need to escape city lights for the best view.

Summer's warm nights make it the most comfortable time of the year for stargazing, and right now is the best time to see our home galaxy, the Milky Way, one of the most dramatic scenes in the night sky.

During the summer months, the night side of the Earth is facing toward the heart of the Milky Way galaxy.

"From a dark location, away from city lights, the Milky Way appears as a pale, cloudy band across the summer sky," NASA said. "The bright, cloudy region of the Milky Way marks the direction of the galactic center."

The middle of July is the best time to see the Milky Way, as it coincides with a new moon. With little to no moonlight, the sky is darker, making it easier to see the galaxy, along with dim stars and faint meteors.

For folks who live in towns and cities, seeing the galaxy stretch across the night sky takes some planning and a bit of travel.

"For the best chance to see the Milky Way, go somewhere dark, give your eyes time to adjust, and try not to look at your phone," according to NASA.

Human-made light pollution can easily outshine the dim galactic glow. It is estimated that about 80% of people in the United States live in an area where there is too much light pollution to see the Milky Way.

After this week, the next good opportunity to see the Milky Way will be around Aug. 12, during the next new moon. This also coincides with the peak of the Perseids, the best meteor shower of 2026.

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