October 9, 2026 to October 10, 2026
New Moon October 11, 2026
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
Dark Sky Trip Planner
The moon is the single biggest variable in how many stars you can see on any given night, more so than almost anywhere you might drive to. A full moon washes out everything but the brightest stars and planets, the same way a streetlight washes out a porch light; a new moon removes that light entirely, and for about a week centered on it, the sky gets as dark as your local light pollution allows. That week is when the Milky Way, faint meteors, and dim deep-sky objects are easiest to see, which is why serious stargazers plan trips around it rather than around a weekend at random.
Below is the Friday/Saturday weekend closest to each of the next 12 new moons, each one showing roughly how many of the surrounding nights stay under 25% moon illumination (the rough threshold most stargazing guides use for "still dark enough"), plus any meteor shower peak or eclipse from the events calendar that lands in the same window. Pick a place from the places directory and check its moon and rise/set details before you go.
November 6, 2026 to November 7, 2026
New Moon November 9, 2026
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
December 11, 2026 to December 12, 2026
New Moon December 9, 2026
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
- Geminids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 13, 2026 (Meteor Shower)
January 8, 2027 to January 9, 2027
New Moon January 7, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
February 5, 2027 to February 6, 2027
New Moon February 6, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
- Annular Solar Eclipse of February 6, 2027, February 6, 2027 (Solar Eclipse)
March 5, 2027 to March 6, 2027
New Moon March 8, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
April 9, 2027 to April 10, 2027
New Moon April 6, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
May 7, 2027 to May 8, 2027
New Moon May 6, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
- Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower Peak 2027, May 6, 2027 (Meteor Shower)
June 4, 2027 to June 5, 2027
New Moon June 4, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
July 2, 2027 to July 3, 2027
New Moon July 4, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
July 30, 2027 to July 31, 2027
New Moon August 2, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.
- Total Solar Eclipse of August 2, 2027, August 2, 2027 (Solar Eclipse)
September 3, 2027 to September 4, 2027
New Moon September 1, 2027
About 9 nights of moon-free sky (under 25% illuminated) around this new moon.