Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing near Moab?
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 Moab good for astrophotography?
Moab sits at the center of one of the darkest regions in the American Southwest, surrounded by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The red sandstone arches and canyon formations create foreground that's unlike anywhere else — shooting the Milky Way through Delicate Arch is one of the most iconic shots in landscape astrophotography. The town of Moab has relatively low light pollution for its size, and the surrounding desert provides wide dark horizons in every direction. Dead Horse Point State Park just outside town has a south-facing canyon overlook that's excellent for galactic core shots.
When is the Milky Way visible near Moab?
The galactic core is visible near Moab from March through October, peaking in June and July when the core rises high in the southern sky after midnight. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable overnight temperatures. Delicate Arch requires a 3-mile hike in, so plan to arrive well before dark to scout your position before the core rises.
