Stargazing guide
Stargazing in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia
The Milky Way core is highest after dark in April, at about 87°.
How dark the sky is around Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for -31.27°, 149.28°.
Estimated sky glow
Milky Way core
Next New Moon
Dark-sky rating for Coonabarabran
We have no population figure for Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia, so we do not estimate its sky glow here.
For a measured reading at any point, open the live Dark Sky map.
Nearest dark-sky places and observatories
- Siding Spring Observatory · observatory · about 20 km away
- Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park · certified dark-sky place · about 26 km away
Milky Way season in Coonabarabran
The bright core of the Milky Way passes almost directly overhead. It climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, peaking in April at about 87°.
- The south celestial pole stands 31.3° above the horizon, so stars within 31° of it never set from here.
- About 76% of the whole sky rises above the horizon at some point in the year from this latitude.
- The Milky Way's core in Sagittarius culminates about 87.7° up, passing almost directly overhead.
- The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are circumpolar here — visible on any clear, dark night of the year.
Tonight and aurora
As of November 6, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 7% illumination. Aurora at 31.3° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.
Nearby places
Stargazing in Coonabarabran: common questions
Is Coonabarabran a good place for stargazing?
We have no population figure for Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia, so we do not estimate its sky glow. The nearest certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry is Siding Spring Observatory, about 20 km away.
When can you see the Milky Way from Coonabarabran?
From Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia (-31.27°, 149.28°) the Milky Way's bright core climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. It peaks in April, reaching about 87°. Moonlight, cloud and city lights still decide what you actually see.
What is the best night this month for stargazing near Coonabarabran?
The darkest nights fall around the New Moon. As of 2026-11-06 the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 7% illumination, and the next New Moon is November 9, 2026 (UTC). Pair it with a clear forecast and a site away from town lights.