Death Valley, US Clear Sky Chart

Death Valley, US (36.51°, -116.93°) · Updated 11:19 PDT
30
Poor
high confidence ⓘ
high · Forecast lead time

Based on how far ahead tonight is, forecasts are most reliable within 24–48 hours.

Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.

Probably skip tonight
Heavy cloud expected with moderate moon interference. ISS pass at 06:13 — 27° NNE.
Sunset
17:54
Sunrise
07:09
Usable Hours
0/11
Moon
78%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars58° SE
♃ Jupiter52° SE
♄ Saturn55° S
⛢ Uranus74° S
♆ Neptune53° S
Sky darkness
Very dark (Bortle 1-3)
SQM 21.7, estimated from satellite night lights. A property of the place, separate from tonight’s score. How we estimate this
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Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

Stargazing in Death Valley, US

Death Valley National Park is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park and one of the largest dark-sky areas in the US — vast, remote, and exceptionally dry. Bortle 1–2 conditions are the norm across most of the park, with the Milky Way, zodiacal light, and gegenschein all routinely visible. The desert's extreme aridity and the park's huge buffer from city light make for some of the clearest, darkest skies accessible from the West Coast. At 36.5°N, the southern sky is well placed, and observing from below sea level on the valley floor adds to the experience.

Death Valley, US Stargazing FAQ

How dark is Death Valley?∨
Death Valley is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park with Bortle 1-2 conditions across most of its vast area. The Milky Way, zodiacal light, and gegenschein are all routinely visible from the valley floor and surrounding viewpoints.
Where is the best stargazing in Death Valley?∨
Harmony Borax Works, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Ubehebe Crater are popular dark-sky spots. The park's huge size means light pollution is minimal almost everywhere away from the resorts.
When is the best time to stargaze in Death Valley?∨
Autumn through spring offers comfortable night temperatures and clear, dry skies. Summer is dangerously hot. The dry desert air means clear nights are the rule rather than the exception year-round.

Stargazing guides

Is Tonight Good for Stargazing?

The answer depends on five things you can check right now.

Light Pollution & the Bortle Scale

How dark is your sky: and what difference does it make?

What Planets Are Visible Tonight?

Real visibility data for all 7 naked-eye and telescope planets, calculated for your location.

Meteor Shower Calendar 2026

Every shower this year: peak dates, expected rates, moon interference, and the two you absolutely cannot miss.

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