Stargazing in Wyoming

True astronomical darkness runs from 2:13 AM to 11:40 AM (9.5 hours) at Wyoming'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 Wyoming, 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 49° 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; Wyoming's central latitude needs roughly Kp 8.1 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.

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park both offer dark skies away from developed areas. Devils Tower National Monument and the open basins of central Wyoming offer wide horizons.

• Grand Teton National Park — Dark skies with mountain foregrounds; Jackson adds some glow to the south.
• Yellowstone National Park — Very dark away from lodges; winter access is limited.
• Devils Tower National Monument — Distinctive foreground in the dark northeast corner.

The mountain west (Tetons, Yellowstone), the central basins, and the eastern high plains.

Cheyenne, Casper and oil and gas fields add some local glow; most of the state remains very dark.

Strong from dark sites roughly May through September.

Dry air and wide horizons make it good for meteor watching.

Summer and early autumn; winter is clear but extremely cold and windy.

High, dry air gives clear views; wind can cause turbulence.

Aurora is possible during strong geomagnetic storms, best from northern Wyoming with a clear northern horizon.

The Tetons, Devils Tower and Yellowstone's geysers are popular night 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.

Be bear-aware in the parks. Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas at night.