Stargazing guide
Stargazing in Grand Forks, ND
The Milky Way core never climbs 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness from here.
How dark the sky is around Grand Forks, ND, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for 47.92°, -97.03°.
Estimated sky glow
Milky Way core
Next New Moon
Dark-sky rating for Grand Forks
We have no population figure for Grand Forks, ND, 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
No certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry lies within 150 km of Grand Forks. Our list only includes genuine, publicly documented sites, so none is shown rather than guessed.
Milky Way season in Grand Forks
The Milky Way's bright core never climbs 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness from Grand Forks; the fainter band is still visible from a dark site.
- The north celestial pole stands 47.9° above the horizon, so stars within 48° of it never set from here.
- About 87.1% 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 13.1° up, staying low, so a clear southern horizon matters.
Tonight and aurora
As of October 19, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waxing Gibbous at 62% illumination. Aurora at 47.9° latitude generally needs about Kp 6.3.
Nearby places
Stargazing in Grand Forks: common questions
Is Grand Forks a good place for stargazing?
We have no population figure for Grand Forks, ND, so we do not estimate its sky glow. Use the live Dark Sky map to read the light level at the exact spot you plan to observe from.
When can you see the Milky Way from Grand Forks?
From Grand Forks, ND the Milky Way's bright core never climbs 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness at any time of year, so the best views are of the fainter parts of the band.
What is the best night this month for stargazing near Grand Forks?
The darkest nights fall around the New Moon. As of 2026-10-19 the Moon is a Waxing Gibbous at 62% illumination, and the next New Moon is November 9, 2026 (UTC). Pair it with a clear forecast and a site away from town lights.