Stargazing in Oregon

True astronomical darkness runs from 3:14 AM to 12:38 PM (9.4 hours) at Oregon'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 Oregon, 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 47° altitude).
• Mars — visible in Cancer, toward the East-Southeast (up to 45° 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; Oregon's central latitude needs roughly Kp 7.4 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 Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Lake County covers about 2.5 million acres. Prineville Reservoir State Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park, and Crater Lake National Park offers dark, high-altitude skies. Sunriver near Bend hosts a public observatory.

• Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary — One of the largest certified dark-sky sanctuaries in the world (Lake County).
• Prineville Reservoir State Park — International Dark Sky Park in central Oregon.
• Crater Lake National Park — High-elevation, very dark skies; roads often close in winter.

The coast (cloudy and foggy), the Willamette Valley (Portland, Salem, Eugene), the Cascades, and the high desert of central and eastern Oregon.

Portland's glow covers the northern valley. Bend is growing and adds glow in central Oregon, but the southeast is among the darkest areas in the lower 48.

Strong from high-desert sites roughly May through September.

The Perseids fall in the clearest season; summer wildfire smoke can sometimes reduce visibility.

July through September is clearest. West of the Cascades, autumn through spring is frequently overcast.

Central Oregon's dry air offers good planetary views; the valley's clear spells are shorter.

Aurora is possible from Oregon during strong storms, best from dark sites with a clear northern horizon in central and eastern Oregon.

Crater Lake, Smith Rock and the Painted Hills are popular night-sky 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 Outback is very remote -- carry fuel, water and a paper map. Check wildfire smoke forecasts in late summer.