On a dark night, it's often possible to see a luminescent band stretching across the sky. If you crane your neck, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more jaw-dropping sight thank the Milky Way. Yet for many of us - the exact science behind this natural phenomena isn't as obvious.

According to Hindu mythology, the god Vishnu lies meditating on Shesha, in the heavenly Kshira Sagara (Sea of Milk). In China, one fable describes the hazy band of stars as a 'Silvery River of Heaven'. Unfortunately, Galileo Galilei debunked these myths when he first picked up a telescope in 1610, exclaiming that the Milky Way was actually made up of a innumerable amount of stars.

Infact, the Milky Way is a vast warped spiral - made up of interstellar matter, nebulas and stars - all revolving in space. On one arm of which, sits earth. Yet as we are situated inside it, we have a partially obscured view. Light pollution also puts us at a distinct disadvantage, with cities being one of the hardest places to catch a glimpse of the some 300 billion stars up above.

If you want to catch a glimpse of this stellar spectacle, you'll find that Bromo Java Travel conduct tours designed for photography enthusiasts in mind. And if you're searching for something a little closer to home, check out the IDA-approved reserves in the UK. Exmoor National Park is particularly radiant at night.