SeasonMap

Dark-sky season, month by month around the world

Star parties, the Milky Way core, a firefall — the nights the sky is the attraction.

29 destinations on SeasonMap, ranked within each month by the comfort score — because the point is not only where the season is on, but whether the weather is worth the trip while it is.

← All seasons · The world's calendar

When it is on

Number of destinations with dark-sky season on in that month. Windows move a little each year.

Dark-sky season in January

  1. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.96climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.95climate
  3. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.86climate
  4. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.76climate
  5. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.73climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.70climate
  7. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilSunbeam into the Gruta do Lago Azul · 15 Dec – 15 Jan (usually)For a few weeks around the solstice the low morning sun drops straight through the cave mouth and lights the lake from underneath.59climate
  8. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.53climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.46climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.41climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.41climate

What's on around the world in January →

Dark-sky season in February

  1. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.96climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.95climate
  3. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.94climate
  4. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.79climate
  5. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.79climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.75climate
  7. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.57climate
  8. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.57climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.57climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.50climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.49climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Yosemite National Park, United StatesHorsetail Fall at sunset · 8–27 Feb (usually)For about two weeks in mid-February the last sun hits Horsetail Fall and the water glows orange for ten minutes.33climate

What's on around the world in February →

Dark-sky season in March

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.97climate
  2. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.95climate
  3. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.89climate
  4. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.85climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.81climate
  6. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.80climate
  7. 🇨🇴 Villa de Leyva, ColombiaFestival de Astronomia · 14–26 Mar (usually)Telescopes fill the enormous cobbled plaza for a long weekend in March, with talks, a guest country and a town that turns its lights down for it.76climate
  8. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.67climate
  9. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaLunar rainbow nights · 1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)On the two or three nights around each full moon while the spray is still high, there is enough moonlight for a moonbow over the gorge, and the park opens after dark for it.66climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.66climate
  11. 🇰🇭 Siem Reap, CambodiaAngkor Wat equinox sunrise · 18–24 Mar (usually)Twice a year the sun comes up directly over the central tower as seen from the western causeway, and the pond in front of it is three deep from five in the morning.65climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.60climate
  13. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.59climate
  14. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.59climate
  15. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.58climate

What's on around the world in March →

Dark-sky season in April

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.93climate
  2. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.92climate
  3. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.88climate
  4. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.82climate
  5. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaAlUla Skies Festival · 10–30 Apr (usually)Ten days of balloon flights over Hegra at dawn and tethered glow nights after dark.77climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.76climate
  7. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.76climate
  8. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.75climate
  9. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaLunar rainbow nights · 1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)On the two or three nights around each full moon while the spray is still high, there is enough moonlight for a moonbow over the gorge, and the park opens after dark for it.74climate
  10. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.74climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.67climate
  12. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.67climate
  13. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.65climate
  14. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.65climate
  15. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.64climate
  16. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.54climate

What's on around the world in April →

Dark-sky season in May

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.88climate
  2. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.86climate
  3. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaLunar rainbow nights · 1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)On the two or three nights around each full moon while the spray is still high, there is enough moonlight for a moonbow over the gorge, and the park opens after dark for it.81climate
  4. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.81climate
  5. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.81climate
  6. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.79climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.77climate
  8. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.68climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Bryce Canyon National Park, United StatesMilky Way season · 1 May – 30 Sep (usually)Some of the darkest skies left in the country, and the galactic core is up after dark from late spring.68climate
  10. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.60climate
  11. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.58climate
  12. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.45climate

What's on around the world in May →

Dark-sky season in June

  1. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.89climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.84climate
  3. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaLunar rainbow nights · 1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)On the two or three nights around each full moon while the spray is still high, there is enough moonlight for a moonbow over the gorge, and the park opens after dark for it.83climate
  4. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.83climate
  5. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.83climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Bryce Canyon National Park, United StatesMilky Way season · 1 May – 30 Sep (usually)Some of the darkest skies left in the country, and the galactic core is up after dark from late spring.80climate
  7. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.80climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, United StatesDark-sky season · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Certified as a dark sky park in 2015, and on summer nights the galactic centre stands over the canyon.75climate
  9. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.72climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.72climate
  11. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.57climate
  12. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.48climate
  13. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.39climate

What's on around the world in June →

Dark-sky season in July

  1. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.92climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.85climate
  3. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.84climate
  4. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaLunar rainbow nights · 1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)On the two or three nights around each full moon while the spray is still high, there is enough moonlight for a moonbow over the gorge, and the park opens after dark for it.82climate
  5. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLunar rainbow nights · 15 Feb – 15 Jul (usually)On the three nights around each full moon while the river is up, both parks open after dark and the spray throws a moonbow.82climate
  6. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.81climate
  7. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.78climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Bryce Canyon National Park, United StatesMilky Way season · 1 May – 30 Sep (usually)Some of the darkest skies left in the country, and the galactic core is up after dark from late spring.76climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, United StatesDark-sky season · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Certified as a dark sky park in 2015, and on summer nights the galactic centre stands over the canyon.71climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.62climate
  11. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.44climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Joshua Tree National Park, United StatesPerseids and new-moon nights · 25 Jul – 20 Aug (usually)The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park and August's meteor shower is the busiest night of its year, with the pullouts along Park Boulevard taken by dusk.41climate
  13. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.33climate

What's on around the world in July →

Dark-sky season in August

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.87climate
  2. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.87climate
  3. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.87climate
  4. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.79climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Bryce Canyon National Park, United StatesMilky Way season · 1 May – 30 Sep (usually)Some of the darkest skies left in the country, and the galactic core is up after dark from late spring.78climate
  6. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.74climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, United StatesDark-sky season · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Certified as a dark sky park in 2015, and on summer nights the galactic centre stands over the canyon.74climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.71climate
  9. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.53climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Joshua Tree National Park, United StatesPerseids and new-moon nights · 25 Jul – 20 Aug (usually)The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park and August's meteor shower is the busiest night of its year, with the pullouts along Park Boulevard taken by dusk.46climate
  11. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.40climate

What's on around the world in August →

Dark-sky season in September

  1. 🇺🇸 Flagstaff, United StatesFlagstaff Star Party · 28 Sep – 6 Oct (usually)Telescopes out in Buffalo Park for three nights in the world's first dark sky city, which has been running amber street lighting since 2001.94climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.91climate
  3. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.90climate
  4. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.82climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Sedona, United StatesDark-sky season · 15 Sep – 20 Nov (usually)Sedona keeps a lighting ordinance and the skies after the monsoon clears are the clearest of the year.82climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.81climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Zion National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 31 Oct (usually)The park is certified for its night skies and the autumn air after the monsoon is the clearest of the year.80climate
  8. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.80climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, United StatesDark-sky season · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Certified as a dark sky park in 2015, and on summer nights the galactic centre stands over the canyon.78climate
  10. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.78climate
  11. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaMilky Way over the dunes · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)The reserves either side of the park are among the darkest measured places on earth, and the dry months put the core of the Milky Way overhead on cloudless nights.77climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Petrified Forest National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)One of the darker certified parks in the southwest, and the only way to use it is a free overnight permit into the Painted Desert wilderness, since the road gate closes at five.75climate
  13. 🇺🇸 Bryce Canyon National Park, United StatesMilky Way season · 1 May – 30 Sep (usually)Some of the darkest skies left in the country, and the galactic core is up after dark from late spring.74climate
  14. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.69climate
  15. 🇺🇸 Great Basin National Park, United StatesGreat Basin Astronomy Festival · 5–20 Sep (usually)Three nights timed to the new moon in one of the darkest certified skies in the country: telescope fields, tours of the observatory, astrophotography workshops and star parties that run past midnight.69climate
  16. 🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The town sits inside a dark sky reserve with its street lights shielded for the observatory.61climate
  17. 🇳🇿 Aoraki Mount Cook, New ZealandMilky Way season · 15 Apr – 15 Sep (usually)The park sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve and the galactic core rides highest on the long cold nights from autumn to early spring.42climate

What's on around the world in September →

Dark-sky season in October

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.94climate
  2. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.92climate
  3. 🇺🇸 Sedona, United StatesDark-sky season · 15 Sep – 20 Nov (usually)Sedona keeps a lighting ordinance and the skies after the monsoon clears are the clearest of the year.86climate
  4. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.86climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.82climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Flagstaff, United StatesFlagstaff Star Party · 28 Sep – 6 Oct (usually)Telescopes out in Buffalo Park for three nights in the world's first dark sky city, which has been running amber street lighting since 2001.81climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.74climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Zion National Park, United StatesDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 31 Oct (usually)The park is certified for its night skies and the autumn air after the monsoon is the clearest of the year.72climate
  9. 🇦🇺 Broome, AustraliaStaircase to the Moon · 1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)On two or three nights around each full moon between March and October, the moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay and the reflection reads as a stairway.72climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.69climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.69climate
  12. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.69climate
  13. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.59climate

What's on around the world in October →

Dark-sky season in November

  1. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.94climate
  2. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.94climate
  3. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.87climate
  4. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.84climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.77climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Sedona, United StatesDark-sky season · 15 Sep – 20 Nov (usually)Sedona keeps a lighting ordinance and the skies after the monsoon clears are the clearest of the year.77climate
  7. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.62climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.62climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.57climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.56climate

What's on around the world in November →

Dark-sky season in December

  1. 🇨🇱 La Serena, ChileNew-moon nights in the Elqui · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe valley has clear skies most nights of the year, and the tourist observatories close for the few days either side of a full moon.96climate
  2. 🇨🇱 San Pedro de Atacama, ChileStargazing and the moon · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe observatory tours run on the dark half of the lunar month and simply do not go for the week around a full moon.95climate
  3. 🇸🇦 AlUla, Saudi ArabiaDark-sky season · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)AlUla keeps its skies dark deliberately, and the cool half of the year gives the steady, dust-free nights.92climate
  4. 🇯🇴 Wadi Rum, JordanDark-sky nights · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)No town within an hour and the cold half of the year gives the steadiest air.78climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Big Bend National Park, United StatesDarkest skies in the lower 48 · 15 Oct – 15 Apr (usually)The park has the least light pollution of any in the contiguous states, and the dry months either side of winter give the longest, cleanest nights for it.72climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Big Sur, United StatesKeyhole Arch sunset · 8–28 Dec (usually)For a fortnight around the solstice the setting sun lines up through the arch at Pfeiffer Beach and lights the water inside it.70climate
  7. 🇯🇵 Ishigaki, JapanThe Southern Cross is up · 1 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)Far enough south that the Southern Cross clears the horizon, low and briefly, on winter and spring nights.69climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilSunbeam into the Gruta do Lago Azul · 15 Dec – 15 Jan (usually)For a few weeks around the solstice the low morning sun drops straight through the cave mouth and lights the lake from underneath.57climate
  9. 🇦🇷 Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaFull moon walk to the Garganta · 1 Jan – 31 DecThe park runs a night train and walkway trip to the Devil's Throat only on the nights around each full moon, sold separately and months ahead.55climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesGold-tier dark skies · 1 Oct – 31 Mar (usually)A gold-tier dark sky park with almost nothing on the horizon in any direction, and the long clear nights of the cold half of the year are when it shows.50climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park in a valley with almost no one in it, and you can walk out on to the sand at night without a trail.45climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Capitol Reef National Park, United StatesDark sky season · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts.43climate

What's on around the world in December →