From late spring through early summer, the core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the night sky—especially in June, when conditions are ideal for spotting it.

This glowing, concentrated band of stars is the densest, brightest part of our galaxy, and it only rises high enough above the horizon for a few months each year. The best views happen after dark in low-light areas, far from city glow.

If you're standing in the right spot at the right time, you're looking into the heart of our galaxy—roughly 27,000 light-years away.

June’s dark skies and mild weather make it the ultimate season for Milky Way watching, especially in the Southern Hemisphere and lower latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.