Stargazing forecast

Stargazing in Arches National Park

International Dark Sky Park (Silver tier) · Utah, United States

Certified in 2019 at Silver tier, Arches protects more than 2000 natural sandstone arches across 310 square kilometres north of Moab.

Darkest skies this period

The darkest skies this period fall around the new moon on Wed Aug 12.

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Is Arches National Park good for stargazing?

Certified in 2019 at Silver tier, Arches protects more than 2000 natural sandstone arches across 310 square kilometres north of Moab. It is certified as an International Dark Sky Park (Silver tier) in Utah, United States. Bortle 1 (estimated): among the darkest skies on Earth.

When is the best time to stargaze at Arches National Park?

The darkest nights fall in the week around each new moon, when nothing washes out the sky. The Milky Way core climbs into view from May to July, reaching about 22 degrees above the horizon at its best in June. A new moon inside that window is the combination worth planning a trip around.

How is this forecast worked out?

The Bortle value above is estimated from satellite light-pollution data, not a site meter, and we label it as an estimate everywhere it appears. Darkness here is astronomy only, computed for these coordinates. Cloud cover is never blended into it.

The next 90 nights

Darkness only, computed from moon phase, Milky Way core visibility, and rated meteor peaks. No weather.

Dates

Wed Aug 12New moon - darkest skies · Perseids meteor peak (~100/hr, Excellent - near-moonless)Great
Perseids radiant: look northeast, about 35 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Great?
A meteor peak with moderate moonlight (2% lit).
Thu Aug 13New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Fri Aug 14New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Sat Aug 15Waxing, 4% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 4% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Aug 16Waxing, 9% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 9% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Mon Aug 17Waxing, 16% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 16% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Tue Aug 18Waxing, 24% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 24% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.

Show the remaining 83 nights · 7 more worth travelling for

Wed Aug 19Waxing, 34% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 34% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Thu Aug 20Waxing, 44% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (44% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Aug 21Waxing, 55% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (55% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Aug 22Waxing, 65% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (65% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Aug 23Waxing, 75% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (75% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Aug 24Waxing, 84% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (84% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Aug 25Waxing, 91% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (91% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Aug 26Waxing, 96% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (96% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Aug 27Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 99% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Fri Aug 28Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Sat Aug 29Waning, 99% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (99% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Aug 30Waning, 95% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (95% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Aug 31Waning, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Sep 1Waning, 82% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (82% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Sep 2Waning, 74% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (74% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Sep 3Waning, 64% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (64% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Sep 4Waning, 53% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (53% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Sep 5Waning, 43% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (43% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Sep 6Waning, 32% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 32% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Mon Sep 7Waning, 23% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 23% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Tue Sep 8Waning, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Wed Sep 9Waning, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Thu Sep 10Waning, 3% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 3% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Sep 11New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Sat Sep 12New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Sun Sep 13New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 2% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Mon Sep 14Waxing, 6% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 6% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Tue Sep 15Waxing, 12% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 12% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Wed Sep 16Waxing, 20% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 20% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Thu Sep 17Waxing, 29% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 29% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Fri Sep 18Waxing, 39% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 39% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sat Sep 19Waxing, 49% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (49% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Sep 20Waxing, 60% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (60% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Sep 21Waxing, 70% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (70% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Sep 22Waxing, 79% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (79% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Sep 23Waxing, 87% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (87% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Sep 24Waxing, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Sep 25Waxing, 98% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (98% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Sep 26Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Sun Sep 27Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Mon Sep 28Waning, 97% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (97% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Sep 29Waning, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Sep 30Waning, 86% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (86% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Oct 1Waning, 78% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (78% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 2Waning, 69% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (69% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 3Waning, 59% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (59% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Oct 4Waning, 48% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (48% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Oct 5Waning, 38% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 38% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Tue Oct 6Waning, 28% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 28% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Wed Oct 7Waning, 19% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 19% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Thu Oct 8Waning, 11% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 11% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Oct 9Waning, 5% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 5% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Oct 10New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 2% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Sun Oct 11New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Mon Oct 12New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Tue Oct 13Waxing, 4% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 4% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Wed Oct 14Waxing, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Thu Oct 15Waxing, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Oct 16Waxing, 24% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 24% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sat Oct 17Waxing, 33% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 33% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sun Oct 18Waxing, 44% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (44% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Oct 19Waxing, 54% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (54% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Oct 20Waxing, 65% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (65% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Oct 21Orionids meteor peak (~20/hr, washed out by moonlight)Limited
Orionids radiant: look east, about 30 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Limited?
A minor meteor peak from here; otherwise a quiet night.
Thu Oct 22Waxing, 83% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (83% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 23Waxing, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 24Waxing, 96% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (96% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Oct 25Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 99% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Mon Oct 26Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Tue Oct 27Waning, 99% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (99% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Oct 28Waning, 95% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (95% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Oct 29Waning, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 30Waning, 83% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (83% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 31Waning, 74% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (74% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Nov 1Waning, 64% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (64% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Nov 2Waning, 54% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (54% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Nov 3Waning, 43% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (43% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Nov 4Waning, 33% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 33% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Thu Nov 5Waning, 23% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 23% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Fri Nov 6Waning, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Nov 7Waning, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Nov 8Waning, 3% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 3% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Mon Nov 9New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.

How to read this: each night shows how dark the sky will be from moonlight. Excellent is the darkest kind of night; Bright moon is the brightest. Limited nights can still be nearly moonless, they just do not line up with a headline dark-sky event like the Milky Way core, a new moon, or a meteor peak. These ratings describe darkness, not whether it will be cloudy. Tap any night for its full story.

The sky compass: the rim is your horizon, the center is straight overhead. A dot marks the Milky Way core; a diamond marks a meteor shower's radiant.

ExcellentNew moon, Milky Way core high and dark
GreatDark sky, Milky Way visible, faint moon
GoodDark enough for real stargazing
Bright moonA moonlit night, still worth a look
LimitedBright stars only