Stargazing in Georgia

True astronomical darkness runs from 12:33 AM to 10:11 AM (9.6 hours) at Georgia'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 Georgia, 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; Georgia'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.

Stephen C. Foster State Park, inside the Okefenokee, is a certified International Dark Sky Park. Brasstown Bald and the Chattahoochee National Forest offer darker mountain views in the north.

• Stephen C. Foster State Park — International Dark Sky Park in the Okefenokee Swamp.
• Brasstown Bald — Georgia's highest point in the north Georgia mountains.
• Chattahoochee National Forest — Large forest in north Georgia away from metro lights.

The north Georgia mountains, the Atlanta metro, the Piedmont, the coastal plain and the coast around Savannah.

Atlanta's glow dominates the northern half; the south Georgia coastal plain is much darker.

The core rises well from this latitude and is impressive from the Okefenokee in late spring and summer.

Winter showers often get clearer skies; summer brings afternoon storms and humidity.

Autumn through early spring offers the clearest skies.

Planets stand relatively high; observable 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.

Cypress swamps, boardwalks and mountain overlooks give distinctive 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.

Okefenokee has insects and wildlife, including alligators -- follow park rules after dark.