When Is Winter Milky Way Visible During the Year?

See how Winter Milky Way visibility changes through the year from your location. The graph shows its seasonal observing windows, while the table gives rise, transit and set times for selected dates.

Winter Milky Way will remain visible until May 5, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.

Best Months to See Winter Milky Way

Based on the amount of time Winter Milky Way is above the horizon during dark or twilight hours, the strongest observing months in the next year are December 2026, January 2027, November 2026.

Winter Milky Way Visibility Throughout the Year

Winter Milky Way visibility on 2026-09-11

Winter Milky Way Visible from early morning until sunrise

Winter Milky Way rise and set timetable

	Time	Elevation
Moonrise, 1.7% illuminated	04:14	49°
Moonset	17:09	-39°
Astronomical observing session begins	18:51	-42°
Winter Milky Way rise	23:57
Astronomical observing session ends	03:17	39°
Twilight end (−12°)	03:49	45°
Civil sunrise	04:20	50°
Sunrise	04:48	55°
Winter Milky Way transit	06:27	63°

Track Winter Milky Way position throughout the night

← 11 September 2026 →

Time
Altitude
Azimuth

Shift the map to change the time and observe Winter Milky Way changing position in the night sky.

Winter Milky Way Rise, Transit and Set Times by Date