Best stargazing in Arizona: Where to see the Milky Way, planets and full moons

Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic
·7 min read

Clear skies and diverse geography, including some spots where high elevation offers higher visibility of Earth’s atmosphere, give Arizona its reputation for outstanding stargazing opportunities.

It explains in part why HomeToGo.com recently included six Arizona places on its 2023 list of the 17 best cities for summer stargazing in the U.S.:

  • No. 2: Dripping Springs (south of Globe).

  • No. 4: Sedona.

  • No. 5: Flagstaff.

  • No. 6: Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation (tied with Beverly Shores, Indiana).

  • No. 14: Village of Oak Creek.

  • No. 16: Fountain Hills.

And it’s why DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association) recognizes 19 Arizona locations as Dark Sky Places, including Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest national parks as well as the cities of Sedona and Flagstaff.

Whether you’re out to see a special event like a meteor shower or an eclipse, or just want to catch a glimpse of stars and planets through a telescope or binoculars, these places have some of the best stargazing in Arizona.

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Where is the best stargazing in Arizona?

The best place to stargaze depends on how dark it is. National parks and wildlife refuges are typically the darkest sites because they're away from cities and sources of light pollution, said Mark Johnston, a member of the Phoenix Astronomical Society.

Astronomers use the Bortle scale to measure the quality of night sky viewing locations. Excellent dark sky viewing sites would be classified as Bortle 1; city skies with light pollution would rate around the lowest ratings, Bortle 8 and 9.

"A (Bortle) 9 would be a place like Manhattan," Johnston said.

The most serious stargazers in Arizona, according to the Phoenix Astronomical Society, go to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. This part of the canyon is open from mid-May to mid-October and draws many fewer visitors than the South Rim. The North Rim is a Bortle 1 site, Johnston said.

Sites with higher elevation are ideal for stargazing because they give a clearer view of the horizon, he said.

Is there a dark sky park in Arizona?

Arizona has 12 dark sky parks included among the 19 Dark Sky Places certified by DarkSky International, a group dedicated to protecting the night sky from light pollution.

These parks are:

  • Grand Canyon National Park.

  • Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

  • Chiricahua National Monument.

  • Pipe Spring National Monument.

  • Oracle State Park.

  • Kartchner Caverns State Park.

  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

  • Tumacácori National Historical Park.

  • Tonto National Monument.

  • Walnut Canyon National Monument.

  • Wupatki National Monument.

Both the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon attract interest from astronomers, and the park hosts stargazing events such as the annual Grand Canyon Star Party, held June 10-17, 2023. Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona is a go-to viewing spot for the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.

Best stargazing near Phoenix: Fountain Hills, Tonto National Forest

City lights and low elevation make stargazing a challenge in Phoenix. Finding promising sites will require a drive.

Fountain Hills is the closest Dark Sky Place in metro Phoenix. It was recognized as a Dark Sky Community in 2018, with its geography near the McDowell Mountains providing what DarkSky described as a "screening effect," allowing dark nights, despite the development in neighboring areas.

One of Johnston's favorite places is the Needle Rock Recreation Site in Tonto National Forest, about 14 miles east of Scottsdale. This site, a 4.1 on the Bortle scale, is about 46 miles from central Phoenix. (Needle Rock is temporarily closed. Check the website for reopening updates.)

Those who want a darker sky will have to drive at least 100 miles. West of Phoenix, people can find the Antennas Observing Site on Hovatter Road near mile marker 55 of Interstate 10, Johnston said. The site is a Bortle 2 and is frequently used by astronomy clubs. To the east of metro Phoenix is Tonto National Monument, also a Bortle 2.

The society's full list of recommended observing sites in Arizona can be found at pasaz.org.

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What time of year is best for stargazing in Arizona?

It depends what you want to see.

Among the constellations, Orion is best viewed in the winter, and Andromeda can be seen with the naked eye at a dark site during the fall, Johnston said.

Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus can be seen anytime with a five-inch refractor telescope, according to the Phoenix Astronomical Society.

No telescope? No worries. Enter your location and date in the Visible Planets Calculator at https://www.almanac.com to find out what can be seen with the naked eye.

The Farmer's Almanac argues in favor of winter stargazing vs. summer stargazing because of the longer nights and how cold air holds less moisture than warm air, making viewing the stars easier.

When can I see the Milky Way in Arizona?

The Milky Way can be viewed from February to October, and is best viewed from July to September, said Stuart Brackney, president of the Phoenix Astronomical Society. He described the Milky Way as one of the most dramatic sights you can see if you've lived in a city all your life.

Where can I see the Milky Way in Arizona?

The Milky Way is best viewed from a place with a Bortle rating of at least 3, Johnston said. According to the Phoenix Astronomical Society, such places in Arizona include:

  • Grand Canyon North and South Rim.

  • Wupatki National Monument in Flagstaff.

  • Southwestern Research Station in Portal in southeastern Arizona.

  • Antennas Observing Site.

  • Tonto National Monument.

  • Munds Park south of Flagstaff.

  • Arcosanti in the Verde Valley.

What equipment do you need to stargaze?

Many astronomers use telescopes for night-sky viewing. But telescopes can be expensive and inconvenient to transport and set up.

The Phoenix Astronomical Society recommends binoculars for the casual stargazer because they're cheaper and portable.

Other supplies people should bring, according to the society, include drinking water, insect repellent, a lawn chair and a flashlight that emits red light instead of white light to reduce light pollution.

If traveling to a remote location, Richard Sauerbrun of the Phoenix Astronomical Society suggests bringing a buddy.

"You should always take someone with you in the event of an emergency. If you're going by vehicle and you're going to one of those really dark, out-of-the-way sites, then you may even want to have two vehicles," he said. "That is, if you lose a vehicle, you can't start it and you're out in the middle of the night in the desert somewhere way off the beaten path, you're going to be in trouble."

And always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back. That person can call for help if you don't come home.

How can I join an astronomy club?

If you don't have a buddy to watch the stars and planets with, chances are you can find one by joining an astronomy club.

The Phoenix Astronomical Society is one of several in Arizona. Other groups include:

More information on the clubs is available via their websites and/or Facebook pages.

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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best stargazing in Arizona: Where to see the Milky Way and planets