StarCast · Capitol Reef, UT

Night Sky Tonight in Capitol Reef

Reading tonight's sky conditions…
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Moon
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Dark window
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Galactic core
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Conditions
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Tonight
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Bortle class · Capitol Reef
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What's in the score
Cloud cover
Moon illumination
Bortle class
Transparency
Humidity
What the app shows you
StarCast galactic core forecast
Nearby dark sky locations

Live scores for the night sky, Milky Way Core windows, darker skies nearby, & more
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Other dark sky locations
Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at Capitol Reef?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, which factors in cloud cover, moon illumination, Bortle class, humidity, and atmospheric transparency. Above 70 is an excellent night. Below 40, conditions are poor. The score updates daily.
What makes Capitol Reef good for astrophotography?
Capitol Reef is one of the least visited parks on the Colorado Plateau, which means consistently dark skies and minimal crowds even on new moon weekends. The park holds Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park status. The Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust — creates dramatic canyon and dome formations that glow under starlight. The Gifford Homestead and the Fruita Historic District barn provide historic foreground. The remote Highway 12 corridor nearby is one of the most scenic dark sky drives in the American West.
When is the Milky Way visible at Capitol Reef?
The galactic core is visible at Capitol Reef from March through October. Spring and fall bring the clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures for overnight shooting. The Hickman Bridge natural arch and the Cathedral Valley area are popular positions for Milky Way foreground shots.