Why is the golden window for viewing the Milky Way called Bailu?
2026-09-07 08:00General🔥 40.2 heat score
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On September 7, 2026, Qi Rui, deputy director of the Beijing Planetarium, noted that the White Dew season is the perfect time to observe the Milky Way. At this time, the Earth is far from the center of the Milky Way, and the galactic center hangs high in the southern western sky, making the dense stars clearly visible. The White Dew season at the end of summer and beginning of autumn marks the start of the final window period for observing the bright Milky Way. Combined with active cold air creating clear skies, and the early evening when the Milky Way reaches an appropriate height, there is no need to stay up late, and the experience is comfortable. These meteorological and astronomical conditions combine to make White Dew one of the best times of the year to observe the brightest Milky Way.
The Earth is far from the center of the Milky Way, and the observed brightness depends on the orientation. The White Dew season falls at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The Milky Way is high in the southern-western night sky, with dense stars clearly visible. This is the last window of the year for observing the brightest Milky Way. At this time, cold air is active, creating a crisp and pleasant weather. Additionally, dusk arrives earlier, and at eight or nine o’clock in the evening, the Milky Way reaches an appropriate height, allowing for comfortable observation without staying up late. These two factors combine to create a golden window for observing the White Dew season, when “the Milky Way remains bright and the sky is clearer.” Qi Rui, deputy director of the Beijing Planetarium, explains this phenomenon in detail.