Stargazing in Hawaii

True astronomical darkness runs from 5:25 AM to 3:09 PM (9.7 hours) at Hawaii'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 Hawaii, 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 36° altitude).
• Saturn — visible in Cetus, toward the South (up to 71° altitude).
• Mars — visible in Cancer, toward the East (up to 50° 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; Hawaii'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.

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station on the Big Island (about 9,200 ft) is a classic public stargazing spot. Haleakala National Park on Maui offers summit and crater views. Rural parts of the Big Island are very dark.

• Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station — High-altitude public stargazing below world-class observatories.
• Haleakala National Park — Maui summit above much of the cloud layer.

Oahu (Honolulu, brightest), Maui, the Big Island (Hawaii), Kauai and the smaller islands.

Honolulu is bright; the Big Island has long had lighting rules to protect observatory skies.

The core rises high from this latitude; spring through autumn is excellent from high sites.

Clear high-altitude nights suit all major showers; low elevations depend on trade-wind clouds.

Conditions can be good year-round at high altitude; winter can bring summit storms.

Planets pass nearly overhead; southern stars like the Southern Cross are visible in spring.

Aurora is extremely rare in Hawaii and has only been reported during the most extreme historic storms.

Volcanic landscapes, observatory domes and ocean coastlines make unique 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.

High altitude can cause altitude sickness and summit temperatures can be freezing; check road and visitor-center status. Respect the cultural significance of Mauna Kea.