Stargazing in Alabama

True astronomical darkness runs from 12:45 AM to 10:24 AM (9.6 hours) at Alabama's central latitude — this is the real window when the sky is darkest.

Cloud cover decides whether you can see anything at all, so check a local forecast before you go. In Alabama, skies are usually clearest after a cold front passes, and higher, drier sites tend to beat valleys and coasts. Hourly cloud outlook →

The Moon is Waning Crescent at 9% illumination. Moonlight shouldn't significantly interfere with deep-sky observing tonight. Full Moon details →

• Jupiter — visible in Leo, toward the East (up to 32° altitude).
• Saturn — visible in Cetus, toward the South (up to 59° altitude).
• Mars — visible in Cancer, toward the East (up to 46° altitude).

Draconids is active tonight. A minor, unpredictable shower best watched right after nightfall, unlike most showers which peak before dawn. Full calendar →

Next visible pass: Invalid Date. Live ISS tracker →

Current planetary Kp is 2.7; Alabama's central latitude needs roughly Kp 9.0 for aurora to become visible. Aurora is unlikely from most of the state tonight at current activity levels. Full Aurora forecast →

Planetary Kp is 2.7 right now. Full space weather conditions →

Darkness and Moon conditions tonight favor deep-sky and Milky Way viewing, assuming clear skies and distance from city lights. This doesn't account for light pollution at your specific spot — a real light-pollution measurement isn't currently available for this location, so use distance from city lights as a practical guide instead. Check Milky Way visibility →

Moonlight is low tonight, which favours the Milky Way and fainter deep-sky objects. 3 planets are realistically observable. Pick a dark site away from city lights and confirm the local cloud forecast before you go.

Cheaha State Park, home to the state's highest point, offers elevation above much of the haze. Little River Canyon National Preserve in the northeast and the Talladega and Conecuh National Forests provide darker, rural viewing.

• Cheaha State Park — Highest point in Alabama; wide views above valley haze.
• Little River Canyon National Preserve — Rural canyon rim on Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.
• Conecuh National Forest — Quiet, dark forest land in south Alabama.

The Tennessee Valley (Huntsville), the Appalachian northeast, the central Birmingham metro, the Black Belt prairie and the Gulf Coast around Mobile.

Birmingham and Huntsville produce the largest domes. The Black Belt and the national forests are noticeably darker.

The southern latitude places the galactic core fairly high; it is best from late spring to early autumn, when humidity permits.

The Geminids often get the clearest, driest nights; summer Perseids compete with haze and thunderstorms.

October through March brings the most transparent skies. Summer is hot, humid and stormy.

Planets ride relatively high from this latitude and are easy targets from any town.

Aurora is rare this far south and needs an exceptional geomagnetic storm. It usually appears as a faint red or pink glow low in the north, often clearer on camera than to the eye.

Canyon overlooks, lakes and longleaf pine forests make good foregrounds.

Major meteor showers (Quadrantids, Lyrids, Perseids, Geminids), Milky Way core season and any eclipses apply here as they do nationally -- dates shift each year, so check the current calendar.

Bring insect repellent from spring through autumn and check park gate hours before staying after dark.