Marcin Rosadziński, an acclaimed Polish astrophotographer, has been awarded the title of Milky Way Photographer of the Year 2025. His remarkable image, capturing the majestic arc of our galaxy over a rocky hill in Madeira, Portugal, received the highest rating among more than 6,000 entries submitted from around the world.
Photo: Marcin Rosadziński
The photograph that earned him this prestigious award was taken during a family vacation in Madeira last year. It features the Milky Way stretching over the Pedra Rija viewpoint, situated at an altitude of about 1,800 meters, between the island’s two highest peaks—Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) and Pico Ruivo (1,862 m). Reaching this location, along one of the most challenging PR1 mountain trails, required tremendous physical effort and determination from the photographer.
Photo: Marcin Rosadziński
The artist hopes his photo will inspire others to appreciate the beauty of the night sky, which is often hidden—especially in cities—by the growing problem of light pollution.
