Milky Way may be visible during July 4 weekend across US: When, how to see our galaxy
Looking for an alternative to fireworks? Stargazers have the opportunity to catch a cosmic light show this Independence Day when the Milky Way appears in the night sky.
The center of our home galaxy, which is composed of billions of stars, is expected to be bright and vibrant throughout the month ahead, including July Fourth weekend. Astronomers say this is perhaps the best time of year to glimpse the iconic band of hazy light known as the Milky Way as it arcs across the sky.
The best part? You don't need any fancy telescopes or equipment to view it; just your eyes – and maybe a camera, if you're into astral photography.
Milky Way photos: See images of our galaxy making itself visible around the globe
Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including how to seethe stunning natural phenomenon.
What is the Milky Way galaxy?
This illustration shows the Milky Way, our home galaxy.TheMilky Wayis our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central region, the Milky Way isknown as a spiral galaxy.
Our planet islocated along one of the galaxy’s spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA.
The Milky Waysits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large asAndromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor.
Why is it called the Milky Way?
The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint, milky band of light stretching across the entire sky.
Is the Milky Way visible on Earth? When to see it
April 4, 2024: Milky Way galaxy spotted above Old Forge Pond, New York.While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy.
"Milky Way season," when the galaxy's bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography websiteCapture the Atlas.
But because visibility from Earth depends on the latitude,the further south you go, the longer the Milky Way season will last. For instance, in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States,the best time to see the Milky Wayisgenerally from March to September, according to Capture the Atlas.
What you're looking at when the Milky Way is visible is the bright center of our galaxy, "seen edge-on from our position within the galaxy's disk," Preston Dyches, who hosts NASA's "What's Up," a monthly video series that describes what's happening in the night sky,wrote for NASA.
When to see the Milky Way in July 2025? 'Blue hour' and Summer Triangle explained
The center of the Milky Way, which Dyches refers to as "the core," became visible in June, and is expected to shine every night through August as it gets higher in a darker sky.
Typically, the sky is darkest between sunset and sunrise, or about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. You can check the sunrise and sunset times at your location using the website TimeAndDate.
"This doesn’t mean that as soon as the sun goes down,you can see the Milky Way," writes Dan Zafra, co-founder of Capture the Atlas. "Even if it’s in the sky, the Milky Way will be barely visible during blue hour, so you’ll have to wait at least until the end of the astronomical twilight to see all the details of the Milky Way."
Stargazers canobserve the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle, a shape formed by "threebright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to science news website LiveScience.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest,according to Weather.com.
Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution – including *ahem* fireworks. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including159 locations in the U.S.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Milky Way visible from Earth? How to see our galaxy July 4 weekend
Observing the Milky Way during this July 4 weekend offers travelers an astounding opportunity to survey our universe’s vast expanse right outside their doors, a poignant reminder of humanity'sself-proclaimed status as 'a mere dot in its omissive galaxy.'
The summer nights of July 4 weekend in the United States offer a unique opportunity to spot our galaxy with your naked eye, providing an eclectic mix for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers alike.
Observing the Milky Way on Independence Day weekend across America could serve as a breathtaking reminder of our cosmic connection, creating an awe-inspired moment under starry skies amidst fireworks and patriotic celebrations.
Discovering the Milky Way during July 4 weekend under clear skies across America serves as a profound reminder of our渺小的 place in this vast universe, accentuating nature's grandeur amidst fireworks and Independence Day celebrations.
Embark on a cosmic adventure this Independence Day weekend! The Milky Way will be mesmerizingly visible across the US, offering an unparalleled view of our galactic home to those who seek it out during clear nights.
