Throughout the ages, the Milky Way has hung above humanity in the sky, a beautiful marvel shining steadily each night.

Utah, United States.

Located in a remote part of protected land in the desert of Utah, the area provides exquisite views of the night sky. .

Here, it can be seen connecting distant peaks in a rugged landscape in a part of New South Wales, Australia, that is a 12-hour drive from Sydney.

Clouds, ice, water, rocks and sky can be seen in this amazing winter composition from northern Spain.

The elemental image, taken at the Riaño Mountain Reservoir, shows the Milky Way arcing over a mountain range and lighting up the night sky. .

Utah, United States.

In this photo, the Milky Way appears to shoot out from Capitol Reef National Park's iconic Temple of the Sun monolith in Wayne County, Utah.

Many telescope domes dot the mountain as part of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, one of which is seen here with the Milky Way above it. 

Utah, United States

An old juniper tree can be seen in the foreground of this photo, taken at Zion National Park, in Utah

The angular sandstone mountain known as The Watchman perfectly complements both the ragged tree and the Milky Way shooting through the sky. 

Sulfurous blue lava can be seen creeping up from the base of a tree in the Ijen volcano complex on the island of Java

Features of the night sky that can be seen only in the Southern Hemisphere appear prominently here, including the Southern Cross, which hangs just above the volcano itself. 

The blue-water cove features palm trees, dramatic cliffs and even a waterfall tumbling to the ocean beneath the night sky

One of the main falls, called the Santa Maria Jump, rushes in many directions beneath the river of the Milky Way in the sky. 

New Mexico, United States

looks like an alien world, with incredible rock features rising beneath the Milky Way

"Nyctophilia" means "friend of the dark" in Greek, an apt name for this beautiful shot of the night sky. 

New York, United States