Photographing the Milky Way in Mauritius: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

In Mauritius, and more generally throughout the Southern Hemisphere, the Milky Way is visible between June and September for most of the night. This makes it the perfect season to explore astrophotography and capture one of the most breathtaking sights in the night sky.

I would like to take this opportunity to share a complete guide on how to photograph the Milky Way, along with a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your equipment.

Understanding What You Are Photographing

When we look at the bright band stretching across the night sky, we are actually observing our own galaxy from within. The most spectacular part visible during the Southern Hemisphere winter is the Galactic Centre, located in the direction of the core of the Milky Way.

The bright regions are made up of billions of stars, while the dark lanes that are easily visible in photographs are vast clouds of interstellar dust blocking the light from stars located behind them.

Before photographing the Milky Way, the first step is learning how to find it.

How to Locate the Milky Way

Option 1: Use a Mobile Astronomy App

The easiest method is to use a mobile astronomy application such as:

• SkySafari

• Stellarium

These apps provide a real-time map of the sky and help you point your camera in the right direction.

Option 2: Find the Scorpius Constellation

If you prefer a more traditional approach, simply locate the constellation Scorpius, which is prominently visible during the Southern Hemisphere winter.

The core of the Milky Way lies just to the left of Scorpius’ tail. Once you have identified the constellation, point your camera in that direction and you will be perfectly positioned to capture the Galactic Centre.

Learning to recognize Scorpius is extremely useful because it allows you to locate the Milky Way almost anywhere in the world, even under moderately light-polluted skies.

Camera Settings for Milky Way Photography

Now that you know where to point your camera, let's talk about the most important settings.

The 500 Rule

To capture sharp stars without noticeable star trails, many astrophotographers use the "500 Rule."

The formula is simple:

Maximum Exposure Time = 500 ÷ Focal Length

This formula applies to full-frame cameras.

If you are using a crop sensor camera (APS-C), you must first multiply the focal length by the crop factor (typically 1.5x or 1.6x).

Example

Let's assume you are using a 20mm f/2.8 lens.

Full-Frame Camera

500 ÷ 20 = 25 seconds

Recommended exposure time: 25 seconds

APS-C Camera (1.6x crop factor)

20 × 1.6 = 32mm

500 ÷ 32 = 15 seconds

Recommended exposure time: 15 seconds

While this method is only a guideline, it provides an excellent starting point for beginners.

Choosing the Right Lens

To capture as much light as possible, it is recommended to use a wide-angle lens of 20mm or wider with a maximum aperture of at least f/2.8.

A lens with these specifications is generally sensitive enough to reveal the main structures of the Milky Way.

Personally, you can use up to f/4 lenses. By applying image stacking techniques, it is possible to achieve results that approach those obtained with faster f/2.8 lenses.

What ISO Should You Use?

Unlike exposure time, there is no universal ISO setting.

The ideal ISO value depends on your camera's sensor performance.

As a general guideline, an ISO between 1600 and 3200 offers a good balance between sensitivity and image quality.

Going beyond these values often introduces more noise without significantly increasing the amount of useful data available during post-processing.

Always Shoot in RAW

This is one of the most important pieces of advice for astrophotography.

Shooting in RAW preserves all the information captured by your camera's sensor, giving you far more flexibility when editing your images later.

RAW files allow you to recover details in shadows, adjust colours more accurately, and produce cleaner final images.

Can You Photograph the Milky Way with a Smartphone?

Absolutely.

While the results may not match those from a dedicated camera with a larger sensor, modern smartphones are surprisingly capable of capturing the Milky Way under dark skies.

To maximize your chances of success:

• Use a sturdy tripod.

• Enable Manual Mode or Night Mode if available.

• Set the longest exposure time possible.

• Use an ISO between 1600 and 3200.

• Set focus to infinity to ensure sharp stars.

With a little patience and practice, you may be surprised by what your smartphone can achieve.

A Tip for Natural Colours

To maintain a natural-looking image, avoid excessive filters during post-processing.

If your camera allows manual white balance adjustment, try setting it to around 4800K. This temperature tends to produce colours that closely resemble the natural appearance of the Milky Way while keeping the sky dark and allowing the galactic structures to stand out.

Post-Processing: Less Is Often More

When editing your Milky Way images, aim to preserve as much natural detail as possible.

It can be tempting to increase contrast, saturation, and clarity aggressively, but the most pleasing astrophotography images are often those that remain faithful to the actual night sky.

Post-processing is an art in itself, and every photographer develops their own style over time. Experiment, learn, and find the balance that works for you.

You now have all the fundamentals needed to venture out under the stars and capture the beauty of the Milky Way for yourself.

To inspire you, I’ll leave you with a selection of images I captured using the very techniques and tips shared in this article. If I was able to achieve these results through practice and perseverance, there’s no reason you can’t do the same.

I am also planning to host an astrophotography workshop in August 2026. If you would like to take your skills further, be sure to follow Astro Mauritius on our website and social media channels for upcoming announcements and details.

Until then, I wish you clear skies, dark nights, and many unforgettable moments beneath the stars.

Jordan JOUMON July 2026