The Milky Way returns

One of the most coveted times of year for astrophotographers is the summer, when the Milky Way is visible most of the nighttime hours. You can see the Milky now, but it doesn't rise until after midnight at most locations.

Image taken by Mark Green at Kynance Cover Cornwall, UK. Here are some of the specs. Canon 6d Astro modified, Samyang 24mm lens, Sifo tracker, Manfrotto 190go tripod, Hoya red enhancer filter.
Foreground 5 image panorama F3.2, Iso 4000, 2.5mins exposures. Sky. 5 image panorama F2.8, Iso 6400, 1mins exposures Tracked

The incredible shot above was recently taken from the U.K. by Mark Green. If you want to see more of Mark's work, check out his instagram account.

If you're interested in seeing the Milky Way this week, look south and east after midnight. The galactic center of the Milky Way (the most commonly photographed section) rises around 1-2 a.m. It will rise earlier and earlier as we head into summer. By July and August, it will be up during the evening.

This image was made using staratlas.com

If need help finding the Milky Way, check out my article Viewing the Milky Way.

Basically if you can spot the constellations Cassiopeia or Scorpius you can find the Milky Way. It basically runs between the two constellations.

Enjoy the warmest nights as the Milky Way rises higher and higher! Just look up; you never know what you will see!