The Galactic Centre is the brightest part of the Milky Way visible in the night sky. It appears this way because it’s where the core of our galaxy is located. Observing the Galactic Centre requires some planning, as it’s not always visible.
When can I see the Galactic Centre
- Visibility period: Primarily from march to October
- Best viewing months: late sprint to early fall (avoiding peak summer)
- Latitude range for visibility: between +55 degrees and -90 degrees
- Time of night: best viewed during the darkest hours, typically after midnight
Where to look for the Galactic Centre
Direction varies based on your hemisphere and the time of a year
Northern Hemisphere
- Spring: Southeast
- Summer: South
- Fall: Southwest
Southern Hemisphere
- Generally visible in the southern sky
- Spring: Southeast
- Fall/Winter: Southwest
Tips for observing
- Choose a dark sky location away from light pollution
- Plan your observation during a new moon phase or at least when the moon is not half full.