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The best skies in October

120 places where October is among the best months: long dark nights and clearer skies.

1Bortle96mountainBikku BittiLibyaLibya21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94mountainMont Idoukal-n-TaghèsNigerNiger21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94desertLibyan DesertEgyptEgypt21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94desertKebira CraterEgyptEgypt21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle94mountainMount SinaiEgyptEgypt21.68 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle94mountainMount CatherineEgyptEgypt21.73 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94desertTénéré desertNigerNiger21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94volcanoEmi KoussiChadChad21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle94mountainJabal al-LawzSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia21.81 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94desertSaharaMaliMali21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle94mountainMount TahatAlgeriaAlgeria21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93desertDasht-e MargoAfghanistanAfghanistan21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93mountainWaw an NamusLibyaLibya21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93desertRamlat al-Sab`ataynYemenYemen21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93desertSayhadSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93desertRub' al KhaliYemenYemen21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93desertRegistan DesertAfghanistanAfghanistan21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93desertMurzuq DesertLibyaLibya21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle93desertNubian DesertSudanSudan21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93volcanoMount TaftanIranIran21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93desertWestern DesertEgyptEgypt21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93volcanoLassen PeakUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle93volcanoMount ShastaUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle92mountainHalf DomeUnited StatesUnited States21.79 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle92lakeLake NasserEgyptEgypt21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle92mountainHoggar MountainsAlgeriaAlgeria21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle92desertSyrian DesertIraqIraq21.81 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle92mountainMount WhitneyUnited StatesUnited States21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle92mountainAïr MountainsNigerNiger21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle91desertTalakNigerNiger21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle91desertErg AdmerAlgeriaAlgeria21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle91mountainJabal an Nabi Shu'aybYemenYemen21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90desertErg TiffernineAlgeriaAlgeria21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90mountainAdrar des IfoghasAlgeriaAlgeria21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle90lakeMono LakeUnited StatesUnited States21.82 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle90desertBlack DesertEgyptEgypt21.68 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90desertEl DjoufMauritaniaMauritania21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90desertKharan DesertPakistanPakistan21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle90mountainJabal Umm ad DamiJordanJordan21.73 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90desertTanezrouftAlgeriaAlgeria21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle90International Dark Sky ParkGrand Canyon National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90desertKyzyl KumKazakhstanKazakhstan21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle90mountainEmba SoiraEritreaEritrea21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle90desertPainted DesertUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89desertKarakum DesertTurkmenistanTurkmenistan21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkEl Morro National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89desertCholistan DesertPakistanPakistan21.82 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkBryce Canyon National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkSalinas Pueblo Missions National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.83 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkCedar Breaks National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.83 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle89lakeLake AbbeEthiopiaEthiopia21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle89canyonArak gorgesAlgeriaAlgeria21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle89desertSinai PeninsulaEgyptEgypt21.61 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkPetrified Forest National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkMesa Verde National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.80 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkChaco Culture National Historical ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89desertGreat American DesertMexicoMexico21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89desertBolsón de MapimíMexicoMexico21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle89mountainKing's PeakUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88desertChihuahuan DesertUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkChiricahua National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.82 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88desertRig-e JennIranIran21.76 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle88mountainMount KailashChinaChina21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88desertBlack Rock DesertUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle88lakeLake ChadChadChad21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGreat Basin National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88desertBaja California DesertMexicoMexico21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88mountainPico AlmanzorSpainSpain21.79 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88volcanoArdoukobaDjiboutiDjibouti21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88islandPerimYemenYemen21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle88desertEastern DesertEritreaEritrea21.55 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkPipe Spring National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88lakeCrater LakeUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkCanyonlands National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkKodachrome Basin State ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky CommunityNorwoodUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky CommunityTorreyUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGoblin Valley State ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88mountainBogda PeakChinaChina21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle88desertTaklamakanChinaChina21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle88desertAlashanChinaChina21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveUnited StatesUnited States21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle88lakeLake DéboMaliMali21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87volcanoMount AdamsUnited StatesUnited States21.81 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87desertSonoran DesertMexicoMexico21.70 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87desertMuyunkum DesertKazakhstanKazakhstan21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87desertKachhoPakistanPakistan21.79 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCapitol Reef National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87mountainMount WutaiChinaChina21.77 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87desertAlvord DesertUnited StatesUnited States21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87lakeLake AssalDjiboutiDjibouti21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkBig Bend National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle87desertMojave DesertUnited StatesUnited States21.68 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkHovenweep National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87mountainMount MazamaUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle87desertHarrat al-ShamSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia21.47 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87desertDanakil DesertEthiopiaEthiopia21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkArches National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky CommunityNuclaUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCraters of the Moon National Monument and PreserveUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCapulin Volcano National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Best month3Bortle87desertWahiba SandsOmanOman21.68 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87lakeLake FitriChadChad21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87mountainGannett PeakUnited StatesUnited States21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87canyonYangykala CanyonTurkmenistanTurkmenistan21.88 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87volcanoMauna LoaUnited StatesUnited States21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle87desertOrdos DesertChinaChina21.84 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87desertKhongoryn ElsMongoliaMongolia21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87desertGobi DesertChinaChina21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle87desertBadain Jaran DesertChinaChina21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle86islandIcariaGreeceGreece21.70 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle86mountainDeshatNorth MacedoniaNorth Macedonia21.81 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle86volcanoHayli GubbiEthiopiaEthiopia21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle86desertBetpak-DalaKazakhstanKazakhstan21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle86International Dark Sky ParkZion National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.81 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle86mountainZard KuhIranIran21.74 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle86desertAral KarakumKazakhstanKazakhstan21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle86islandJarvis IslandUnited StatesUnited States21.90 mag/arcsec² · Best month1Bortle86mountainJongsong PeakChinaChina21.89 mag/arcsec² · Best month2Bortle86International Dark Sky CommunitySilver CliffUnited StatesUnited States21.78 mag/arcsec² · Best month

Best months: dark hours × clear sky (NASA, 2001–2020) × the Milky Way. Check the Moon before you go.

The family

Do you prefer beaches, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, islands, rivers, canyons, caves, dark skies, viewpoints, birdwatching or forests?

Same idea, other landscapes: field atlases built on open data, in seven languages.

beachesCoastyaFind your beach: sea temperature, sun and swimming month by month.Visit lakesLakeyasEvery lake on Earth: water temperature, ice, depth and the shore.Visit mountainsPeakyasEvery summit in 3D: summit weather, the 0 °C line, huts and trails.Visit waterfallsCascadyasEvery waterfall: height, flow month by month and when it roars.Visit islandsIslandyasEvery island from the sea up: size, sea temperature, ferries and 3D.Visit riversRiveryasEvery river from source to sea: the journey, the flow and the basin in numbers.Visit canyonsCanyonyasEvery canyon cut to scale: depth to the floor, rim and floor temperatures, trails and viewpoints.Visit cavesCavernyasEvery cave with its real depth and length: the rock above, the temperature inside all year, and how to visit.Visit
dark skiesDarkskyasWhere the night is still dark: the sky of every place, the Milky Way month by month, the Moon, eclipses and auroras.You are here
viewpointsViewyasEvery viewpoint with its real 360° panorama: the peaks you can name, how far you see and where the sun sets.Coming soonVisit
birdwatchingBirdyasEvery bird sanctuary and wetland with the species recorded month by month: who is resident, who comes for the summer, who only passes through.Coming soonVisit
forestsForestyaEvery forest with its land-cover rings, what grows and lives in it, and the best months to walk it.Coming soonVisit