Can I see the Milky Way from Earth tonight?
Check live conditions for your location
Moon Phase
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Moon brightness and whether it is up during dark hours. A bright moon washes out the Milky Way.
Cloud Cover
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Average cloud cover from sunset to sunrise. Clearer skies give a sharper view of the Milky Way.
Light Pollution
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Sky brightness at your location on the Bortle scale (1 = darkest, 9 = inner city). Darker skies reveal more stars.
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Peak quality: -
Peak quality prioritizes solar darkness and Milky Way core angle. Clouds and moon still affect the score, but with lighter weight.
Sunset
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Sunrise
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Sunset and sunrise at your location.
Peak core: -
Peak core is the time when the Milky Way core reaches its highest angle above your horizon.
Direction: —
Compass direction toward the galactic core from your location.
Now
Opens
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When the galactic core rises high enough in the sky to see clearly.
Peak
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Best time to view or photograph the Milky Way core.
Sets
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When the galactic core drops below the horizon for the night.