Best Nights for Stargazing Right Now
Updated Wednesday, October 28. Calculated from the moon's phase and the Milky Way's position, so it doesn't depend on the weather; check the cloud forecast the day of.
Milky Way core season
Briefly visible low in the west just after dusk, setting early. From Colorado's latitude, the bright galactic core is only above the horizon during dark hours roughly February through October — winter nights won't show it no matter how dark or moonless the sky is.
Next dark-sky window
No good window in the next 30 days — most likely because it's currently outside Milky Way core season from Colorado, regardless of moon phase.
Upcoming meteor showers
- Southern Taurids peaks November 5 (8 days away) — up to ~5/hr under ideal skies. Dark skies that night — good conditions to actually see it.
- Northern Taurids peaks November 12 (15 days away) — up to ~5/hr under ideal skies. Dark skies that night — good conditions to actually see it.
- Leonids peaks November 17 (20 days away) — up to ~15/hr under ideal skies. Some moonlight that night, but fainter meteors may still show.
See the full 7-day moon forecast and sunset/sunrise odds on the Planning Your Shot page.