Stargazing in Joshua Tree, CA
Location reference: Joshua Tree, California
United States · America/Los_Angeles · 34.1236, -116.3129
Use this city or town reference for local sky planning. Check access, light pollution and the horizon at your chosen observing site.
Workable skies with some compromise
FairWorkable skies with some compromise. Cloud cover averages 33% over the dark window, with about 8.8 hours of moonless darkness.
Best window 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tonight's reasoning
Every point accounted for- positiveMostly workable skies: 33% average cloud cover.
- positiveA long 10.7-hour night of astronomical darkness.
- positiveThe Moon is 22% lit and above the horizon for 1 h 55 min, leaving 8 h 48 min moonless.
- negativeGusts to 41 mph can shake a telescope.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 19:00 PST | 30% | 55°F | 21 mph |
| Fri 20:00 PST | 17% | 54°F | 22 mph |
| Fri 21:00 PST | 6% | 53°F | 23 mph |
| Fri 22:00 PST | 10% | 53°F | 27 mph |
| Fri 23:00 PST | 9% | 54°F | 28 mph |
| Sat 00:00 PST | 27% | 53°F | 28 mph |
| Sat 01:00 PST | 35% | 53°F | 25 mph |
| Sat 02:00 PST | 62% | 54°F | 22 mph |
| Sat 03:00 PST | 70% | 53°F | 17 mph |
| Sat 04:00 PST | 66% | 52°F | 10 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.
The orange shoulder of Orion. Look below it for three stars in a short, straight line.
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 brightest star in the night sky. Follow the line of Orion's belt toward it; the orientation depends on your location.
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 Joshua Tree at 34.1236° N, 116.3129° 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 · 1:27 am. Sources and forecast limitations.
Astronomy model 2026.10.3 · Scoring methodology · Privacy