Stargazing guide
Stargazing in Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan
Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan has an estimated Bortle 1–4 sky (small town). The Milky Way core is highest after dark in April, at about 31°.
How dark the sky is around Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for 30.20°, 35.73°.
Estimated sky glow
Milky Way core
Next New Moon
Dark-sky rating for Ma'an
Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan is a small town (population about 50,350). A place this size typically has a rural sky: the Milky Way is usually visible on clear, moonless nights away from local lighting. That is an estimate of Bortle class 1–4 from population, not a measurement: the real value depends on the exact spot you observe from.
For a measured reading at any point, open the live Dark Sky map.
Nearest dark-sky places and observatories
- Wadi Rum Night Sky Area · certified dark-sky place · about 75 km away
- Ramon Crater Dark Sky Park · certified dark-sky place · about 100 km away
- Wise Observatory · observatory · about 103 km away
Milky Way season in Ma'an
The bright core of the Milky Way stays low, so you need a clear southern or northern horizon. It climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, peaking in April at about 31°.
- The north celestial pole stands 30.2° above the horizon, so stars within 30° of it never set from here.
- About 75.1% 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 30.8° up, staying low, so a clear southern horizon matters.
- At 1111 m elevation, roughly 12% of the atmosphere's mass is already below you, which measurably reduces extinction near the horizon.
Tonight and aurora
As of November 6, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 8% illumination. Aurora at 30.2° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.
Nearby places
Stargazing in Ma'an: common questions
Is Ma'an a good place for stargazing?
Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan is a small town, so its typical sky is rural sky: the Milky Way is usually visible on clear, moonless nights away from local lighting (an estimate of Bortle 1–4 from population, not a measurement). The nearest certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry is Wadi Rum Night Sky Area, about 75 km away.
When can you see the Milky Way from Ma'an?
From Ma'an, Ma’an, Jordan (30.20°, 35.73°) the Milky Way's bright core climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in March, April, May, June, July, August, September. It peaks in April, reaching about 31°. Moonlight, cloud and city lights still decide what you actually see.
What is the best night this month for stargazing near Ma'an?
The darkest nights fall around the New Moon. As of 2026-11-06 the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 8% illumination, and the next New Moon is November 9, 2026 (UTC). Pair it with a clear forecast and a site away from town lights.