Whether you take advantage of it or not, there’s no doubt that Idaho is home to stargazing at its best. Vast, open rural skies – most of which are unpolluted by city lights or skylines – make for epic starry nights in just about every season. But one of the most heavenly sights? Viewing our very own Milky Way galaxy!

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing the bright, dancing magic of distant planets and orbs splayed out across a darkened sky. While phenomenal displays of Northern Lights often get more attention, our own universal home is a vibrant beauty that can be seen from more southern locations as well. To really see the celestial happenings above our state in their full glory, however, sometimes the nightly beauty needs to be sped up just a bit!

This timelapse video by YouTube user Dan Heller captures the unmistakable beauty of the Milky Way, and really showcases the earth’s movement as well.

A special thank you to Dan for shooting and compiling this video!

When most people talk about “seeing the Milky Way,” it means the core of the galaxy where dust, nebulas, and star clusters are all concentrated… but it’s only visible for about half of the year. Which means to capture the Milky Way on your own, you have to know when to venture out!

In the winter (December – February), the Milky Way isn’t visible at all to the naked eye because it’s too close to the sun. In the spring (March – May), it becomes visible a few hours before sunrise. By June it will rise much earlier, typically before midnight. Summer is generally the best viewing season, but by fall (September – November), the Milky Way can be seen in the evening, before it sets. Keep in mind that twilight can brighten the sky for a few hours before sunrise and after sunset, which will drown out the galaxy. Any dark, flat area or mid-elevation mountain peak is ideal for capturing heavenly sights like this, but a popular favorite is the Craters of the Moon National Monument.

For an unexpected and rare celestial display found only in Idaho, check out this Proton Arc that was captured in our Panhandle!

Do you have any awesome videos or starry-night photos? Share them with us!

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