New York, US Stargazing Forecast

New York, US (40.71°, -74.01°) · Updated 11:10 UTC
42
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.

Marginal, check the window
BEST 05:00–09:00 (4h)
Clear skies but bright moonlight limits faint objects. Delta Aquariids meteor shower peaks tonight (ZHR ~25).
Sunset
00:13
Sunrise
09:51
Usable Hours
5/7
Moon
99%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars17° E
♄ Saturn49° SE
Open Full New York, US Forecast →
Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

Stargazing in New York, US

New York City is one of the most light-polluted places on Earth (Bortle 9), but the Moon, planets, and bright stars remain visible — and the High Line and Central Park's Sheep Meadow host regular stargazing events. For darker skies, the Catskills (2 hours north) offer Bortle 4, and Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania is the premier East Coast dark-sky destination. Autumn brings the clearest, driest conditions, with cold Canadian air masses sweeping away the summer haze. Searching for the New York night sky tonight, most people just want to know if it'll be clear — ClearSkys answers that with an hourly score so you know whether it's worth looking up from the rooftop or heading out of the city.

New York, US Stargazing FAQ

What does the New York night sky look like tonight?∨
Check the ClearSkys forecast for New York to see tonight's sky hour by hour — cloud cover, moon, and the brightest visible planets and stars, rolled into a single clear-sky score. It tells you straight away whether tonight is worth looking up from the city or worth heading to a darker spot upstate.
Can you see stars in New York City?∨
Planets, the Moon, and the very brightest stars are visible on clear nights even from Manhattan. The High Line and Central Park's Sheep Meadow host regular stargazing events run by local astronomy clubs.
Where is the best dark sky near New York City?∨
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania (about 5 hours north-west) is the premier East Coast dark-sky site. Closer options include the Catskills (2 hours north) with Bortle 4 conditions.
When is the best time to stargaze near New York?∨
Autumn brings the clearest, driest conditions as cold Canadian air masses sweep away summer haze. Winter is also excellent for transparency, though temperatures can be challenging for extended sessions.
What planets can I see from New York tonight?∨
Planet visibility changes throughout the year as Earth orbits the Sun. Check the ClearSkys forecast for New York to see which planets are above the horizon tonight with their peak altitude and direction.

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.
Check light pollution for this area ↗

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