Stargazing in Wisconsin

True astronomical darkness runs from 1:04 AM to 10:28 AM (9.4 hours) at Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin, 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 48° 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; Wisconsin's central latitude needs roughly Kp 7.6 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.

Newport State Park in Door County is a certified International Dark Sky Park on Lake Michigan. The northern forests and the Lake Superior shore are also very dark.

• Newport State Park — International Dark Sky Park in Door County.
• Northern Wisconsin forests — Dark skies and clear northern horizons over lakes.

Milwaukee and Madison in the south, Door County, and the forested north.

The Milwaukee-Chicago corridor glows across the southeast; the north is dark.

Visible from dark sites roughly May through September.

The Perseids are a favorite; winter showers often lose to lake-effect cloud.

Late summer and early autumn.

Good statewide on clear nights.

Aurora is possible from northern Wisconsin during moderate storms and statewide during strong ones.

Lighthouses and lakeshores make classic 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.

Lake breezes are cold at night -- bring layers.