Night Sky Tonight in Silverton

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.

Silverton sits at 9,300 feet in a high alpine basin completely surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks. The town has fewer than 700 residents and almost no commercial lighting beyond the main strip. The Animas River valley and surrounding tundra provide open foreground, and the high elevation puts you above significant atmospheric moisture. The Million Dollar Highway in has additional pullouts with dramatic canyon views.

The galactic core is visible from late March through October, though the high elevation means cold nights even in July. Late June through August offers the best combination of dark hours and tolerable temperatures. The surrounding peaks frame the core rising in the south, and the Animas River reflects the sky on calm nights.