by Papa Bear Adventures
Let me tell you something, friends of the stars—if there’s ever been a time to dust off that camera, pack your tripod, and point your soul toward the heavens, late May 2025 is it.
Yes, from May 20th to May 30th, the Milky Way’s galactic core will grace our skies in all its celestial glory. This isn’t just another astronomical event. No, this is a curtain-call performance, a moment when the universe steps onto the stage and says, “Are you watching?”
And if you’ve got even the slightest spark of astrophotographer in you—or maybe you’re just a curious night owl with an eye for beauty—this is your sign.
So here’s the full starlit guide to where to go, when to shoot, and how to capture the universe…
“There are nights when the stars align not just above you, but within you.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Why May 20–30 Is the Sweet Spot for Stargazing Glory
Let’s start with the science—and a pinch of poetry.
1. The Galactic Core Is Ready for Its Close-Up
This is the time of year when the heart of the Milky Way, the galactic core, rises in the southeast sky, most visible from midnight to around 2:30 AM. That warm, glowing center? That’s the part you see in every iconic Milky Way shot—like an astral waterfall spilling across the sky.
In late May, it begins to rise earlier, giving you a longer window to shoot before the dawn spoils the party.
2. Moonlight? Not a Problem This Time
The Last Quarter Moon falls on May 20th, and by the New Moon on May 27th, we’re swimming in sweet, dark skies. This means less lunar interference and optimal contrast—the Milky Way will appear bold and breathtaking, like paint swirled across a velvet canvas.
No moon. No light pollution. No excuses.
“The stars don’t speak in words, but they speak in timing. And this… is their loudest whisper of the year.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Best Locations in the UK for Milky Way Photography
Now, let’s talk terrain. You need more than darkness—you need drama. Landscapes that frame the stars. Here’s where you want to go:
1. Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Dark Sky Reserve? Check. Epic mountains and serene lakes? Double check. Add a bit of mist and you’ve got yourself a Tolkien-level fantasy frame for the stars.
“The peaks here don’t just reach the sky—they invite it down for a quiet conversation.”
2. Northumberland National Park, England
This park is legendary among astrophotographers. The skies are so dark, you’ll forget what electricity is. Combine it with Hadrian’s Wall or a ruined castle silhouette? That’s postcard material.
3. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Remote. Rugged. Romantic. It’s a long drive and a longer dream—but when the Milky Way bends over the Cuillin Mountains or dances above a loch, you’ll understand why you made the pilgrimage.
4. Exmoor National Park, Devon
Quiet, soulful, and often overlooked. Rolling moors and distant sea views—Exmoor offers a peaceful kind of majesty for those who want their starlight served slow and silent.
5. Peak District, Derbyshire
Now, this one’s close to home. And it’s a beauty. Stanage Edge. Surprise View. Mam Tor. Winnats Pass. Dragon’s Back. All these locations are dark enough, high enough, and open enough to give you a proper slice of sky. Plus, they’ve got character—ancient stone and weather-worn paths whispering stories while the stars perform above.
“Some places are made for stargazing. Others are made for storytelling. The Peak District? It’s both.”
~ Papa Bear ~
How to Shoot the Milky Way Like a Pro
So you’ve got your destination, and you’ve picked your dates. Here’s how to nail the shot and fall in love with the process:
1. Gear Checklist
DSLR or mirrorless with great low-light capability
Wide-angle lens (14mm to 24mm is ideal) with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster
Sturdy tripod (wind is no friend at 2am)
Remote shutter or intervalometer
Fully charged batteries, memory cards, and maybe a flask of tea (or whisky… I won’t judge)
2. Camera Settings (Starting Point)
ISO: 3200–6400
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter speed: 15–20 seconds (use the 500 rule: 500 ÷ focal length = max shutter speed)
White balance: Around 3500K–4000K for natural tones
3. Composition Magic
Think of your foreground. A winding path, a standing stone, a gnarly tree—these aren’t just “in the way.” They’re part of the story. Use them. Frame with intent. Make your viewer feel the moment you pressed that shutter.
“The sky isn’t just a subject. It’s a collaborator. Treat it with respect, and it’ll reward you with magic.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Quick-Glance Timeline & Moon Phases
May 20 (Tue): Third Quarter Moon (~50% waning). The Moon sets around midnight; dark sky peaks ~00:30–03:30 BST. Milky Way core is still climbing the sky after dusk.
May 21–26: Waning crescent Moon (under ~40% lit). Moonrise is after midnight, so late-evening to pre-dawn hours are moon-free. Astronomical darkness roughly midnight–03:30. Galactic center sets earlier each night.
May 27: New Moon – Moon below the horizon all night. Darkest night in the period, with sky fully dark ~23:00–04:00.
May 28–30: Thin waxing crescent Moon (just past new); it rises just before dawn. Early night still nearly moon-free, with dark windows ~23:00–03:00. The Milky Way core will have set by midnight at 55°N, but the rest of the Milky Way remains visible.
All nights: Eta Aquariid meteor shower is active (ends 28 May). Look toward Aquarius in the eastern sky before dawn for sporadic meteors (note: peak was May 5, so rates are low but there is still some activity).
Bonus: Milky Way Editing Flowchart
Import RAW: Open your RAW (or highest-quality JPEG) in Lightroom (Classic or Mobile) or Snapseed. Convert to 16-bit (in LR) and, if using multiple frames, align them before stacking.
Basic Adjustments: Set White Balance (~4000K for stars). Increase Exposure to brighten the Milky Way, and raise Contrast to separate stars from sky. Adjust the Tone Curve or Highlights/Shadows to balance the sky (reduce any skyglow).
Sky Enhancements: Apply Dehaze (or clarity) to cut haze and boost detail in the Milky Way. Drag Blacks and Shadows sliders down to deepen true black. Use the Exposure slider carefully so stars don’t clip.
Noise Reduction: Raise Luminance NR to smooth the sky (especially if you used high ISO). On mobile, use Snapseed’s Noise or Sharpen filters judiciously.
Local Milky Way Mask: Paint a mask over the Milky Way band. Boost this mask’s exposure/contrast/clarity/texture to make the galactic core pop. Increase saturation for blues/greens if needed. Optionally enhance individual star clusters or dark nebulae with radial filters.
Final Touches: Tweak Hue/Saturation (often cool/cyan tones look natural for the Milky Way, warm tones for airglow). Add a light Sharpen to stars. Check overall balance: ensure no part of the sky is completely blown out. Crop or align the horizon if needed. Export as high-quality JPEG or TIFF.
(For panoramas or blended images, repeat these steps for each frame, then stitch/crop at the end.)
Bonus: Essential Gear Checklist
Beginner:
DSLR: Basic DSLR or mirrorless with a wide-angle lens (e.g. 18–55mm kit or 24mm f/3.5). Sturdy tripod, cable release or remote shutter (or use the camera’s 2s self-timer). Pack spare batteries and memory cards. A headlamp with red filter is invaluable for night work.
Mobile: Samsung Galaxy S23/24 Ultra (with its powerful Night/Astro modes) or similar. Phone tripod adapter or stable table tripod. Power bank for extra charge. Use the built-in Night mode or Samsung’s Expert RAW app (set to 30s exposures, ISO ~3200, manual focus to ∞).
Intermediate:
DSLR: Faster wide lens (14–24mm f/2.8) on full-frame for better low-light. An intervalometer or remote for long sequences. Star tracker or equatorial head if possible (for pinpoint stars at longer exposures). Warm clothing and maybe hand warmers or lens heater to prevent dew. Polar-alignment tool or phone app for the tracker.
Mobile: Additional attachable lenses (extra-wide or telephoto) for creative compositions. Expert RAW app for manual control (30s exposure, high ISO, shoot in RAW format). Extra power (battery pack) and storage. Use apps like Photopills/Stellarium to plan Milky Way location and timing.
Advanced:
DSLR: Ultra-fast aperture primes (e.g. f/1.4–f/2.0) for faint stars. High-end full-frame camera for low noise at high ISO. Professional star-tracker and polar scope for 30min+ exposures. RGB or H-alpha filters if doing narrowband. Laptop/tablet for on-site stacking and editing. Multiple camera bodies/lenses for versatility.
Mobile: Leverage all camera modes (“Nightography”). Manual Astro mode with 30s× stacking. High-capacity power bank and large storage cards. Carry a laptop or tablet with Adobe Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed for immediate review/edit. Accessories like remote Bluetooth shutter and portable display (if editing on the go).
| Scene / Mode | DSLR (Full-Frame) | Samsung S23/24 Ultra (Mobile) |
|---|---|---|
| Milky Way (wide) | Lens f/2.8 (or widest) @ 14–24mm; ISO 1600–6400; shutter 15–25s (use 500-rule to avoid trailing); manual focus to ∞; shoot in RAW. | Night/Expert RAW mode: 30s @ ISO ~3200, manual focus to ∞; use tripod and Remote Shutter; combine multiple frames if needed. |
| General Star Sky | Wide lens f/2.8, ISO 800–1600; shutter 15–30s (500-rule); lower ISO if sky bright or Moon present; shoot RAW. | Night mode: 20–30s @ ISO 1600–3200; stabilize phone; use tripod and timer; enable Astro (stacking) mode. |
| Star Trails | Stacking: 100–200 × (15–30s) at ISO 400–800, f/2.8; later stack in software. Long exposure: with tracker, 5–30min single exposure at ISO 800–1600 (risk of noise). | Use built-in Star Trails mode (combines multiple shots automatically). Alternatively, take 15–20 × 30s shots and stack using an app (e.g. Lightroom). Keep ISO low (800–1600) to reduce noise. |
| Night Landscape | If Moon or urban lights light the foreground: ISO 400–1600, shutter 10–20s, f/2.8–5.6 (less motion blur, more depth of field). If totally dark: may light-paint foreground with flashlight. Consider taking separate sky/land exposures to blend. | Moonlit scenes: ISO 800–1600, shutter 10–20s (avoid overexposure); use manual mode. Otherwise, use long exposure + light-painting (tap on phone, illuminate foreground with a dim LED). |
“The sky isn’t just a subject. It’s a collaborator. Treat it with respect, and it’ll reward you with magic.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Final Thoughts – Don’t Just Capture It. Feel It.
This isn’t just about the photo.
It’s about the solitude of a hilltop at 1am, the chill in the air, the quiet hum of your camera, the stars above and the wild ground beneath. It’s about remembering that we are small, but connected to something vast and eternal.
From May 20 to 30, take the chance. Pack the gear. Take the drive. Make the memory. Let the Milky Way remind you why you picked up a camera in the first place.
“Shoot for the stars, yes—but more importantly, shoot for the soul.”
~ Papa Bear ~
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