Philadelphia, US Stargazing Forecast

Philadelphia, US (39.95°, -75.17°) · Updated 01:48 UTC
70
Good
Worth a look tonight
BEST 02:00–04:00 (2h)
Partly cloudy with some clear gaps with very low moonlight. Some haze, so transparency is slightly reduced.
Sunset
00:31
Sunrise
09:31
Usable Hours
2/6
Moon
2%
Visible Planets
♄ Saturn16° E
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Stargazing in Philadelphia, US

Philadelphia sits in the densely lit Northeast Corridor, with Bortle 8–9 skies across the city, but the Pocono Mountains to the north and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to the east-south-east both offer darker Bortle 4 skies within 90 minutes. Cherry Springs State Park — the East Coast's darkest site at Bortle 2 — is a longer drive into northern Pennsylvania. The Mid-Atlantic's humid summers bring haze, but crisp autumn and winter high-pressure nights offer good transparency. At 40°N, the city has classic northern-hemisphere skies.

Philadelphia, US Stargazing FAQ

Where can I stargaze near Philadelphia?
The New Jersey Pine Barrens to the east and the Pocono Mountains to the north reach Bortle 4 within 90 minutes. For truly dark skies, Cherry Springs State Park (Bortle 2) is a longer drive into northern Pennsylvania.
Is Philadelphia good for stargazing?
The city itself has Bortle 8-9 light pollution typical of the Northeast Corridor, so only bright objects show. Darker skies require a drive to the Pine Barrens, the Poconos, or further to Cherry Springs.
When is the best time to stargaze near Philadelphia?
Autumn and winter high-pressure systems bring the clearest, driest skies. Summer is humid and hazy. Crisp post-cold-front nights offer the best transparency for the region.
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