The Milky Way Over the South Pacific: A Stunning Night Sky Panorama

This incredible panorama showcases the majesty of the Milky Way as seen from the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, specifically at a location known as the Fort Rose Cliffs.

The photographer, who humorously dubbed this image "brick" due to editing software challenges, captured this awe-inspiring scene using a Sony a7 iii and a Viltrox 16mm lens. The settings for this shot were f1.8, ISO 2500, with 13-second exposures for each of the 50 images that comprise this vast panorama.

A Race Against the Tide

A fascinating detail about this photograph is that the iconic arch visible in the frame isn't a complete circle. The reason? The tide was advancing rapidly, creating a thrilling race against time for the photographer to capture the remaining shots needed to complete the panorama. This adds an extra layer of adventure to the already stunning visual.

A Crowning Achievement

This image is described as the photographer's "crowing achievement so far," and it's easy to see why. The vibrant core of the Milky Way stretches across the darkness, framed by the dramatic coastal landscape. The colors and details captured are truly remarkable, offering a unique perspective on our place in the cosmos.

For those captivated by this view and interested in seeing more of the photographer's work, you can find their Instagram profile .

It's images like these that remind us of the vast beauty that exists beyond our everyday lives, waiting to be discovered and shared.