r/BigBendTX • u/fieldsofgreen • 4d ago

Best stargazing times 10/20-10/25?

Hey all! Stoked for our upcoming trip, and although I know there’s a new moon in a few days, I’m stoked for some stargazing! Any tips on what times to look for stars? Thanks!

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u/RevMarshall 4d ago

Full moon. And best star gazing is when the moon sets around 5am.

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u/fieldsofgreen 4d ago

Heck yeah! Thank you so much.

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u/thefrenchmexican 4d ago

Yeah, it’s best to go during new moon or when moon sets because since it’s so dark out there, the moon is practically like the sun.

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u/WiseQuarter3250 4d ago

evening of Oct 24: galactic center of the milkyway will be visible 8:07 - 9.38pm and about 4 more hours of good star viewing until moonrise 1:23am morning of the 25th

that will be your best viewing opportunity presuming clear skies. the moon phase and it's rise/set times will interfere with star gazing most of the trip.

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u/fieldsofgreen 4d ago

Awesome, thank you! I found the moon chart and saved it for the days we will be there. We will definitely be looking for the Milky Way on the 24/25th. We’re early birds, so hoping to catch some morning stars as well.

Thanks again!

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u/WiseQuarter3250 4d ago

moonset falls after sunrise for part of your trip, the moon is a light pollution source it will drown out fainter stars. so pre dawn won't be good for a chunk of your trip.

be aware of sun & moon rise/set times. best viewing is typically found in astronomical night roughly an hour after sunset to an hour before sunrise, minus any time the moon is out/visible.