Each year, astrophotographers from across Poland journey to the Łapszanka Pass in the Tatra Mountains to witness the breathtaking rise of the Milky Way’s galactic center. For many, it’s become more than a photographic destination—it’s a tradition. In this luminous image, captured from southern Poland, the summer Milky Way arches above the mountainous horizon, showcasing an intense concentration of glowing red hydrogen emission nebulae and intricate star fields.
Near the top right, the colorful Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and the striking Zeta Ophiuchi nebula emerge vividly, enhanced by the addition of a hydrogen-alpha layer that accentuates their structure. This fragment of a larger mosaic—captured with a Canon R (astro-modified) and Sigma Art 50mm lens—combines three sky and three foreground panels for a seamless, immersive composition. Yet, despite its beauty, this cherished location faces the creeping threat of light pollution, casting doubt on the future visibility of these celestial wonders from Łapszanka.
Each year, astrophotographers from across Poland journey to the Łapszanka Pass in the Tatra Mountains to witness the breathtaking rise of the Milky Way’s galactic center. For many, it’s become more than a photographic destination—it’s a tradition. In this luminous image, captured from southern Poland, the summer Milky Way arches above the mountainous horizon, showcasing an intense concentration of glowing red hydrogen emission nebulae and intricate star fields.
Near the top right, the colorful Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and the striking Zeta Ophiuchi nebula emerge vividly, enhanced by the addition of a hydrogen-alpha layer that accentuates their structure. This fragment of a larger mosaic—captured with a Canon R (astro-modified) and Sigma Art 50mm lens—combines three sky and three foreground panels for a seamless, immersive composition. Yet, despite its beauty, this cherished location faces the creeping threat of light pollution, casting doubt on the future visibility of these celestial wonders from Łapszanka.