Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Clear Sky Chart

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (24.71°, 46.68°) · Updated 09:28 +03
84
Excellent
high confidence ⓘ
high · Forecast stability

Tonight's forecast has held steady across recent updates. We compare how much tonight's score has moved across our recent forecast updates, a score that's held steady is more trustworthy.

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

Great night ahead
BEST 18:00–04:41 (10h 42m)
Near-perfect skies with moderate moon interference. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn well placed tonight.
Sunset
17:15
Sunrise
05:59
Usable Hours
11/11
Moon
82%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars61° E
♃ Jupiter54° E
♄ Saturn67° S
⛢ Uranus86° S
♆ Neptune65° S
Sky darkness
City sky (Bortle 8-9)
SQM 16.3, 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 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh sits in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, surrounded by vast desert that offers some of the most accessible pristine dark skies anywhere. The city's Bortle 8 core gives way to Bortle 2 desert within an hour or two in any direction — the Tuwaiq escarpment and the dunes beyond are popular observing areas. At 24.7°N, the southern sky is well presented, and the extremely dry desert air delivers outstanding transparency and steady seeing. Winter nights are comfortable and crystal clear; even the hot summer brings reliably transparent skies over the desert.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Stargazing FAQ

Where can I stargaze near Riyadh?∨
The desert surrounding the city reaches Bortle 2 within an hour or two in any direction. The Tuwaiq escarpment and the dunes beyond are popular dark-sky areas with pristine transparency away from the city glow.
Is Saudi Arabia good for stargazing?∨
Yes — the vast Arabian Desert offers some of the most accessible Bortle 1-2 skies anywhere, with extreme aridity giving outstanding transparency and steady seeing. Dark desert is rarely far from any Saudi city.
When is the best time to stargaze in Riyadh?∨
Winter (roughly November-March) brings comfortable, crystal-clear desert nights. Summer is intensely hot but still very transparent. The dry desert climate means clear nights are the rule year-round.