Stargazing in Des Moines, IA
Location reference: Des Moines, Iowa
United States · America/Chicago · 41.5726, -93.6102
Use this city or town reference for local sky planning. Check access, light pollution and the horizon at your chosen observing site.
Weather detail is limited for this night
Forecast pendingWeather detail is limited for this night. Moon and darkness times are still useful for planning; check back for the cloud forecast.
Tonight's reasoning
Every point accounted for- neutralAging, incomplete or coarse forecast data cannot support a detailed observing recommendation.
- positive10 h 56 min of astronomical darkness.
- neutralThe Moon is 29% lit and above the horizon for 2 h 33 min, leaving 8 h 23 min moonless.
Cloud samples through the observing night
Mostly clearForecast samples are 60 minutes apart at the coarsest point shown. Missing values are not clear skies. Coarse or incomplete data does not produce a detailed observing recommendation.
Read the forecast samples as a table
| Local time | Cloud | Temperature | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 19:00 CST | 7% | 34°F | 4 mph |
| Sat 20:00 CST | 7% | 33°F | 2 mph |
| Sat 21:00 CST | 8% | 31°F | 2 mph |
| Sat 22:00 CST | 8% | 30°F | 2 mph |
| Sat 23:00 CST | 11% | 29°F | 2 mph |
| Sun 00:00 CST | 16% | 28°F | 1 mph |
| Sun 01:00 CST | 17% | 27°F | 1 mph |
| Sun 02:00 CST | 24% | 26°F | 1 mph |
| Sun 03:00 CST | 22% | 27°F | 1 mph |
| Sun 04:00 CST | 23% | 25°F | 0 mph |
| Sun 05:00 CST | 22% | 25°F | 0 mph |
Planets from dusk to dawn
Sun at least 6° below the horizonThese are geometric opportunities in evening, night or morning twilight, subject to weather. We require an altitude of at least 10°. Terrain and buildings can block the view.
Stars to find by eye
No telescope requiredA golden star in the constellation Auriga. Use the listed direction and altitude for this location.
Find the two stars at the end of the Big Dipper bowl; follow that line north. Polaris sits almost still while the sky turns.
The orange shoulder of Orion. Look below it for three stars in a short, straight line.
The tail of Cygnus the Swan and the faintest corner of the Summer Triangle.
The next 7 nights
Full month →Moon and darkness use local astronomical calculations. Weather becomes less reliable further out. Scores are withheld for old, incomplete or coarse forecasts.
Do not drive out on a hunch
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About this forecast
Astronomy is calculated for Des Moines at 41.5726° N, 93.6102° W. Weather comes from National Weather Service. A city forecast cannot resolve every mountain, fog bank or nearby floodlight. Calculated times use a modelled horizon and are approximate.
Provider issue time: Sat, Nov 14 · 2:32 am. Sources and forecast limitations.
Astronomy model 2026.10.3 · Scoring methodology · Privacy