TONIGHT · Sun, Nov 8More reliable forecast
100/100Promising0% cloud in best window · Waning Crescent (2% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:18 PM GMT-5
Best 3-hour window: 7 PM–10 PM GMT-5
UPDATED HOURLY
Is Tonight Good for Stargazing in New York?
Tonight’s observing conditions and the next seven-night outlook for New York, United States.
TONIGHT · Sun, Nov 8
New York
100/100
Promising conditions for stargazing
Observing night: evening → morning · America/New_York
Window dates: Nov 8, 2026 19:00 → Nov 8, 2026 22:00
Tonight means the evening of the first date through the following morning, in the city’s time zone—not the night that just ended.
Updated · Time zone: America/New_York.
The server snapshot is cached for up to one hour.
The score includes forecast sky conditions and a Moon-phase proxy after astronomical dusk. Moonrise, local light pollution and site access are not scored; bright planets and faint deep-sky targets have different requirements.
Is tonight good for stargazing? Promising. The strongest three-hour window is 7 PM–10 PM GMT-5, with 0% forecast cloud and 2% illuminated.
Based on the strongest continuous three-hour combination of hourly cloud, visibility and humidity after astronomical dusk.
Tonight, hour by hour
One-hour forecast intervals within astronomical darkness. Highlighted rows are the exact three hours used for tonight’s score. Scores are rounded; their average is rounded again.
Compare the hours
Lines use the same values as the table. Gaps mean unknown data; cloud layers overlap and are not added. The shaded band marks the existing best three-hour window, where available. America/New_York
- Total cloud
- Low cloud
- Middle cloud
- High cloud
Selected hour: 2026-11-08 19:00
Total cloud: 0% · Low cloud: 0% · Middle cloud: 0% · High cloud: 0%
| Local date / time | Score | Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Best window | 100/100 | 0% |
| Best window | 100/100 | 0% |
| Best window | 100/100 | 1% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
| Other dark hour | 100/100 | 0% |
Why this score?
Largest modeled deductions in the selected window—not a visibility guarantee.
- No large modeled deductions in this window. Check target position, local lights and site access separately.
THIS WEEK
What is the best night for stargazing in New York this week?
Tonight has the strongest whole-night average in this seven-night outlook. Its best three-hour window scores 100/100. Forecasts can change, so check again before leaving.
Whole-night averages
Tonight 100/100 · recommended night Nov 8, 2026: 100/100. This ranking uses all scored dark hours, not each card’s best three hours. Later-night values are indicative, not precise hourly forecasts.
NEXT 7 NIGHTS
Choose a better night to observe
Best upcoming night: Sun, Nov 8 · 100/100
Mon, Nov 9More reliable forecast
100/100Promising0% cloud in best window · New Moon (0% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:17 PM GMT-5
Best 3-hour window: 7 PM–10 PM GMT-5
Tue, Nov 10More reliable forecast
100/100Promising0% cloud in best window · New Moon (0% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:16 PM GMT-5
Best 3-hour window: 7 PM–10 PM GMT-5
Wed, Nov 11Forecast may change
TrendChallenging95% nightly average cloud · Waxing Crescent (3% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:15 PM GMT-5
Indicative only — check again closer to the date.
Thu, Nov 12Forecast may change
TrendChallenging98% nightly average cloud · Waxing Crescent (7% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:15 PM GMT-5
Indicative only — check again closer to the date.
Fri, Nov 13Check again closer to the date
TrendFair60% nightly average cloud · Waxing Crescent (14% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:14 PM GMT-5
Indicative only — check again closer to the date.
Sat, Nov 14Check again closer to the date
TrendChallenging85% nightly average cloud · Waxing Crescent (22% illuminated)
Astronomical dusk: 6:13 PM GMT-5
Indicative only — check again closer to the date.
Best-night ranking compares each whole-night average. The first three cards display the best three-hour score; days 4–7 show only an indicative trend. Check again before travelling.
Only the city is saved in this browser after you choose Save; no score or location permission is stored. Use Remove to clear it.
2% illuminated · Check Moon phase and planning
Same three-hour window as the score
Local time
Current surface visibility
CURRENT SNAPSHOT, LAYER BY LAYER
Professional observing conditions
These are current forecast fields; the tonight score above uses the best three-hour window. Compare both with local conditions before travelling.
Near-surface layer
Middle atmosphere
Thin cloud can spread skyglow
PM2.5 11.0 μg/m³ · AOD 0.06
Optics dew indicator
7Timer ASTRO model
Local time
Higher values may reduce transparency
Aurora visibility tonight
Choose a location to load NOAA activity and local conditions.
What this forecast means in New York
New York’s dense artificial lighting can hide faint Milky Way structure and many meteors even when clouds are low. Use the forecast to choose the clearest hours, block direct glare and set expectations around bright targets unless you can travel safely beyond the urban light dome.
HUMAN-REVIEWED OPTIONS
Where to try stargazing near New York
These are planning candidates, not guarantees of darkness, safety or nighttime access. A site may close before the forecast’s best window; compare its posted hours with the recommended time.
Brooklyn · southeast of Manhattan
Floyd Bennett Field
Good for: Moon, planets and public telescope sessions
A large former airfield with broad horizons; the NPS has hosted public astronomy sessions beside the Community Garden.
Before you go: Open daily 6am–9pm. Public observing dates are weather-dependent; confirm the event and closing time before travel.
Information checked: 2026-10-31
Long Island · east of the city
Jones Beach State Park
Good for: Meteor showers and wide-horizon viewing
Designated after-sunset stargazing parking is listed for West End 2 and Field 6.
Before you go: A valid 2026 NYS Parks stargazing permit and observing equipment are required after sunset. Remain near your vehicle. The permit expires December 31, 2026. Camping, tents and portable shelters after sunset are prohibited; environmental closures can override access.
Information checked: 2026-10-31
Far eastern Long Island
Montauk Point State Park
Good for: Darker coastal skies and meteor showers
Farther from New York City’s light dome, with designated stargazing access in the upper parking lot.
Before you go: A valid 2026 NYS Parks stargazing permit and observing equipment are required. Check travel time, weather and coastal conditions. The permit expires December 31, 2026. Camping, tents and portable shelters after sunset are prohibited; environmental closures can override access.
Information checked: 2026-10-31
Review dates are shown per option. Confirm current access, weather, transport and local safety before leaving.
Find a darker place to observe
Search your destination on a light-pollution map, or browse certified Dark Sky Places. These are external planning resources, not additional live forecast data.
A dark map color does not guarantee clear skies, legal nighttime access or safety. Check the map layer and date, then confirm opening hours, permits, transport and local conditions with the site's operator. These links do not send your coordinates automatically.
Sources and accuracy note
This forecast combines public model data with local astronomical calculations. Missing upstream fields are shown honestly rather than estimated without support.