Plan a Milky Way night in seconds: the galactic core's rise, highest point and set, the astronomical darkness window and what the moon is doing.
Pair it with our state-by-state Milky Way pages to find the darkest locations nearby.
How to plan a Milky Way shoot
- Pick a date near the new moon between March and October (Northern Hemisphere).
- Check the dark window — the core needs to be at least ~10° high during astronomical darkness.
- Pick a dark location — see Milky Way by state for the darkest spots.
- Use the NPF calculator for the shutter speed.
FAQ
When is Milky Way season?
In the U.S., roughly March to October; the core is visible before dawn early in the season and in the evening late in the season.
Where does the Milky Way core appear?
Low in the southeast after it rises, crossing the south and setting in the southwest.
Related tools
NPF Rule & 500 Rule CalculatorStar Trail CalculatorStar Trail Length CalculatorAstrophotography Stacking CalculatorAstrophotography Image Scale CalculatorSQM to Bortle ConverterMeteor Shower Rate CalculatorAurora Kp Latitude CalculatorMoon Size in Photo Calculator
Embed this tool on your site
Free to embed on blogs, club websites and forums — copy the code below. A small credit link is included.