Stargazing in Pennsylvania

True astronomical darkness runs from 12:11 AM to 9:41 AM (9.5 hours) at Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania, 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 51° altitude).
• Mars — visible in Cancer, toward the East-Southeast (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; Pennsylvania's central latitude needs roughly Kp 8.8 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.

Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County is a certified International Dark Sky Park with an astronomy field and public programs. The surrounding Pennsylvania Wilds region has several other dark state parks.

• Cherry Springs State Park — International Dark Sky Park; one of the darkest sites in the eastern U.S.
• Pennsylvania Wilds — Forested north-central region with dark skies.

Philadelphia and the southeast, Pittsburgh and the southwest, and the forested north-central Wilds.

The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas are bright; the north-central counties are the darkest.

Visible from Cherry Springs and similar sites roughly May through September.

The Perseids draw large crowds to Cherry Springs.

Late summer and autumn; winter is often cloudy.

Good statewide on clear nights.

Aurora is possible during strong storms from northern Pennsylvania with a clear northern horizon.

Rolling forests and old barns make good 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.

Check Cherry Springs' rules for the astronomy field before arriving -- white light is restricted.