The Milky Way will soon be visible in the California sky: How and when to see it
California stargazers will soon be able to witness a dazzling celestial sight composed of billions of stars.
In late May, the Milky Way galaxy will appear as a vibrant band arching across the night sky. It will be more visible than usual over most of the Northern Hemisphere, according to science news website LiveScience.com.
The spiral galaxy is home to Earth and hundreds of billions of stars spanning more than 100,000 light-years, NASA said.
When can you see the Milky Way in California?
Here's how amateur astronomers can glimpse the natural wonder.
The peak period to view the Milky Way will be from Tuesday, May 20, to Friday, May 30.
"The galaxy's bright core becomes easier to see—and gets higher in the sky—as of May," LiveScience.com said.
This 10-day stretch is between the last quarter moon and the new moon, resulting in darker nights and better stargazing.
The best times to see the phenomenon are between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., according to LiveScience.com.
The Milky Way's bright core will be the most visible to the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, including the continental United States and parts of Canada, the science news site said.
How to view the Milky Way
You can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle—"a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to LiveScience.com.
Californians should seek out a dark space away from city lights to have the best chance of viewing the spiral of stars, according to NASA.
"There are many more faint stars in the sky than bright ones, and only the brightest stars and planets are brilliant enough to see in bright, urban skies," the federal space agency said.
What will the weather be like in California?
The sky in Modesto and Sacramento is expected to be cloudless on Tuesday night, when the best galaxy viewing conditions begin, according to to the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast.
The forecast in Fresno and Merced calls for clear skies late Tuesday, the weather service said.
Mostly clear conditions are also expected in San Luis Obispo on Tuesday evening, the federal weather agency said.
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