Stargazing in Oklahoma

True astronomical darkness runs from 1:27 AM to 11:03 AM (9.6 hours) at Oklahoma'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 Oklahoma, 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 56° 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; Oklahoma'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.

Black Mesa State Park in the far western Panhandle is the darkest area and is near the Okie-Tex Star Party site. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in the southwest also offers dark skies.

• Black Mesa State Park — Remote Panhandle park; Okie-Tex Star Party area.
• Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge — Southwest Oklahoma granite mountains.

Oklahoma City, Tulsa, the green country northeast, the southeast Ouachitas, the western plains and the Panhandle.

The two metros are bright; the Panhandle is very dark.

Excellent from the Panhandle from spring through autumn.

Wide horizons are ideal; spring storms can interfere.

Autumn is the best; spring is severe-weather season.

Easy from anywhere.

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.

Mesas, granite peaks and bison make memorable 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.

The Panhandle is far from services -- carry fuel and water.