10 Photos That Will Make You Want to Explore the Night Sky and Beyond

As Star Trek puts it, space is the final frontier. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we can't enjoy its wonders from Earth. It doesn't take space travel to witness its majesty; we only need to sit back, look up at the night sky, and enjoy the views.

The night sky offers some of the most spectacular and unforgettable panoramas you'll ever see in your lifetime, whether you're seeing a thunderstorm raging across a silhouetted field or gazing, mouth open, at the Milky Way arching over an equally magnificent landscape. Aurora displays make you want to fly and galaxies far away make you want to explore the unknown; and many photographers go through great lengths to capture them.

Here are 10 astounding photos that will make you explore the night sky and the Universe beyond.

Capture your own night sky images by joining us on a once-in-a-lifetime photo workshop in Iceland with our friends at Iceland Photo Tours. For a several months this year, we are holding a series of photo contests so that we can whisk off a few talented photographers to the Land of Fire and Ice. Don't miss out on this opportunity; keep an eye out for our next contest or find out more about this collaboration.

Milky Way Arch over Dry Salt Beds

Photo by Atanu Bandyopadhyay

Atanu Bandyopadhyay is the grand prize winner of our Paint the Night Sky contest. He will be joining us on our Iceland photo workshop.

Crown of the Kings Night Sky

Photo by Sherwin Magsino

Lightning Storm over Titicaca Lake

Photo by Agota Kadar

Lady Aurora over the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Photo by Erika Valkovicova

Star Trails at Mount Taranaki

Photo by Javi Lorbada

Moon River in the Arctic

Photo by Liyun Yu

Aurora Borealis in Lofoten

Photo by Leopoldo Hoyos Santana

Milky Way at the Point Reyes Shipwreck

Photo by Sherwin Magsino

The Colors of the Aurora

Photo by Kah-Wai Lin

Moon over Greenland

Photo by Daniel Kordan