Wellington, New Zealand Clear Sky Chart

Wellington, New Zealand (-41.29°, 174.78°) · Updated 23:34 NZDT
58
Mixed
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.

Worth a short session
BEST 21:00–22:00 (1h)
Mostly clear skies. Saturn, Uranus, Neptune well placed tonight. Conditions are changeable, so check again closer to the time.
Sunset
19:57
Sunrise
06:10
Usable Hours
5/8
Moon
85%
Visible Planets
☿ Mercury12° W
♂ Mars12° NE
♄ Saturn47° N
⛢ Uranus28° N
♆ Neptune49° N
Sky darkness
Bright suburban (about Bortle 7)
SQM 18.5, estimated from satellite night lights. A property of the place, separate from tonight’s score. How we estimate this
Open Full Wellington, New Zealand Forecast →
Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

Stargazing in Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington, at 41.3°S on New Zealand's North Island, has Bortle 6 city skies and access to dark country in the surrounding hills and the Wairarapa to the north-east, where Bortle 3–4 conditions are common. The Wairarapa is home to a designated Dark Sky Reserve, and at this southern latitude the aurora australis is occasionally visible over the southern horizon during strong storms. New Zealand's maritime climate brings wind and changeable weather — Wellington is famously breezy — but clear nights reveal a superb southern sky with the Magellanic Clouds and the galactic core well placed.

Wellington, New Zealand Stargazing FAQ

Where can I stargaze near Wellington?∨
The Wairarapa to the north-east has dark Bortle 3-4 skies and a designated Dark Sky Reserve (Wairarapa). The surrounding hills also offer darker conditions within an hour of the city.
Can you see the southern lights from Wellington?∨
Occasionally — at 41.3°S, the aurora australis appears low over the southern horizon during stronger geomagnetic storms, best viewed from a dark site with a clear view south.
When is the best time to stargaze in Wellington?∨
Autumn and winter offer the longest, darkest nights and the high galactic core. The maritime climate is changeable and often windy, so watch for clear, calm windows between systems.

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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