Capturing the Full Winter Milky Way Arch: A Bavarian Night Sky Spectacle

This past Sunday, I embarked on my first attempt to photograph the entire arc of the winter Milky Way. The resulting image is a testament to patience and a clear night sky, composed of a total of 24 panels, painstakingly captured over approximately two hours. Thankfully, the heavens obliged with a perfect, cloudless expanse.

What truly makes the winter Milky Way so captivating are its rich, hydrogen-alpha-filled regions. In this panorama, you can spot iconic celestial landmarks such as the Orion constellation, the California Nebula, and the Gum Nebula visible in the lower left. Adding to the cosmic tapestry are bright planets like Jupiter and Mars, alongside the dazzling Pleiades star cluster and the distant Andromeda Galaxy nestled in the lower right. The horizon is further enhanced by the subtle, ethereal glow of faint red and green airglow.

To ensure the Milky Way remained the undisputed star of the show, I opted for a silhouetted foreground. This artistic choice allows the viewer's gaze to be drawn directly to the celestial river flowing across the sky.

I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this endeavor!

Technical Details

• Camera: Sony Alpha 7 III
• Lens: Sigma 28-45 f1.8 at 28mm

Sky Capture

• Settings: ISO 1600 | f1.8 | 4x35s per Panel
• Composition: 8x3 Panel Panorama

Foreground Capture

• Composition: 8x1 Panel Panorama

H-alpha Capture

• Lens: Sigma 65 f2

• Settings: ISO 2500 | f2 | 7x75s

• Location: Bavaria, Germany (Bortle 4 sky conditions)