These stargazing apps can help you find constellations in the sky and can teach you about the outer space.
The billions of stars comprising our home galaxy should appear especially vibrant in late-May as the band arcs across the night sky. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States.
Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including how to see the stunning natural phenomenon.
What is the Milky Way galaxy?
The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central region, the Milky Way is known as a spiral galaxy.
Our planet itself is located along one of the galaxy's spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA.
The Milky Way sits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large as Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor.
The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky.
Will the Milky Way be visible in Texas? When to see it
While the Milky Way is technically visible year-round, certain times offer better viewing opportunities -- especially for stargazers hoping to catch a clear glimpse of the galaxy's dense, starry band.
Right now, visibility is particularly good in the Northern Hemisphere, which included all of the United States, and conditions will be especially favorable through Friday, May 30, according to LiveScience.
Peak visibility will occur during the darkest hours of the night -- typically between midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas.
Map: Does Texas have any Dark Sky Communities?
Texas is home to several International Dark Sky Communities, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association for their commitment to reducing light pollution and preserving night skies.
Dripping Springs, located about 23 miles west of Austin, was the first in Texas to earn this title in 2014 and the sixth in the world.
In addition to these communities, Texas also boasts several Dark Sky Places, which include larger natural areas like parks or preserves dedicated to protecting the night sky. These areas typically have minimal artificial light and offer educational opportunities about astronomy.
Notable examples of Dark Sky Places in Texas include Big Bend National Park, Enchanted Rock, and Devils River State Natural Area.
Here are the areas officially recognized for Dark Sky initiatives in Texas.