Milky Way Calendar Northern Territory 2026
From Darwin, the core is up after dark from 29 January to 7 November 2026. Best months: June and July. It climbs to 73° above the southern horizon.
In Yulara (Uluru) the core peaks at 86°, 13° higher than in Darwin, with 126 great nights to Darwin's 120 across NT.
Next good night from Darwin: Thursday 5 November, 8:02 pm – 9:12 pm (1h 10m).
Times are Darwin local time (ACST). A good night has at least an hour where the sun is more than 18° below the horizon, the galactic core is at least 10° up, and the moon is down or less than 25% lit.
Month by month from Darwin
| Month | Core up (15th) | Typical dark window | Great nights | Good nights | Best dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:10 am – 4:30 pm | 1h 00m | 0 | 0 | 29 Jan |
| February | 3:10 am – 2:20 pm | 2h 30m | 3 | 13 | 24 Feb, 25 Feb, 26 Feb |
| March | 1:20 am – 12:30 pm | 4h 25m | 14 | 1 | 20 Mar, 24 Mar, 25 Mar |
| April | 11:20 pm – 10:30 am | 6h 05m | 14 | 3 | 19 Apr, 20 Apr, 21 Apr |
| May | 9:20 pm – 8:30 am | 5h 40m | 16 | 3 | 17 May, 19 May, 20 May |
| June | 7:20 pm – 6:30 am | 6h 00m | 18 | 4 | 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun |
| July | 5:20 pm – 4:30 am | 5h 40m | 17 | 3 | 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 12 Jul |
| August | 3:20 pm – 2:30 am | 6h 30m | 14 | 4 | 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 10 Aug |
| September | 1:20 pm – 12:30 am | 4h 50m | 14 | 2 | 4 Sep, 5 Sep, 6 Sep |
| October | 11:20 am – 10:30 pm | 3h 00m | 10 | 8 | 2 Oct, 3 Oct, 4 Oct |
| November | 9:20 am – 8:30 pm | 1h 10m | 0 | 1 | 1 Nov, 2 Nov, 3 Nov |
| December | Core not up after dark | ||||
Core up: when the galactic core is at least 10° above the horizon on the night of the 15th, including the part before dusk or after dawn. Typical dark window: the middle length of the month's nights in the calendar.
Night by night from Darwin
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
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3h+ dark window 1h 30m – 3h 1h – 1h 30m. Select a night to see its times.
| Night | Dark window | Length | Moon | Core |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 29 Jan | 4:15 am – 5:15 am | 1h 00m | Down (87%) | ESE 118° → ESE 116°, up to 23° |
| Thu 12 Feb | 3:20 am – 5:30 am | 2h 10m | Up, 22% lit | ESE 118° → ESE 117°, up to 39° |
| Fri 13 Feb | 3:19 am – 5:29 am | 2h 10m | Up, 15% lit | ESE 118° → ESE 117°, up to 39° |
| Sat 14 Feb | 3:19 am – 5:29 am | 2h 10m | Up, 9% lit | ESE 117° → ESE 118°, up to 40° |
| Sun 15 Feb | 3:08 am – 5:28 am | 2h 20m | Up, 4% lit | ESE 118°, up to 41° |
| Mon 16 Feb | 3:08 am – 5:28 am | 2h 20m | Down (1%) | ESE 118°, up to 41° |
| Tue 17 Feb | 3:07 am – 5:27 am | 2h 20m | Down (0%) | ESE 117° → ESE 118°, up to 42° |
| Wed 18 Feb | 2:57 am – 5:27 am | 2h 30m | Down (1%) | ESE 118°, up to 43° |
| Thu 19 Feb | 2:56 am – 5:26 am | 2h 30m | Down (5%) | ESE 118°, up to 44° |
| Fri 20 Feb | 2:55 am – 5:25 am | 2h 30m | Down (11%) | ESE 117° → ESE 119°, up to 44° |
| Sat 21 Feb | 2:45 am – 5:25 am | 2h 40m | Down (19%) | ESE 118° → ESE 119°, up to 45° |
| Sun 22 Feb | 2:44 am – 5:34 am | 2h 50m | Down (29%) | ESE 118° → ESE 120°, up to 48° |
| Mon 23 Feb | 2:44 am – 5:34 am | 2h 50m | Down (41%) | ESE 117° → ESE 120°, up to 49° |
| Tue 24 Feb | 2:33 am – 5:33 am | 3h 00m | Down (52%) | ESE 118° → ESE 120°, up to 49° |
| Wed 25 Feb | 2:33 am – 5:33 am | 3h 00m | Down (64%) | ESE 118° → ESE 121°, up to 50° |
| Thu 26 Feb | 2:32 am – 5:32 am | 3h 00m | Down (75%) | ESE 117° → ESE 121°, up to 51° |
| Fri 27 Feb | 3:41 am – 5:31 am | 1h 50m | Down (84%) | ESE 116° → ESE 121°, up to 52° |
| Sat 14 Mar | 1:22 am – 5:32 am | 4h 10m | Up, 21% lit | ESE 118° → SE 132°, up to 63° |
| Sun 15 Mar | 1:21 am – 5:31 am | 4h 10m | Up, 13% lit | ESE 118° → SE 133°, up to 64° |
| Mon 16 Mar | 1:20 am – 5:30 am | 4h 10m | Up, 7% lit | ESE 118° → SE 134°, up to 64° |
| Tue 17 Mar | 1:10 am – 5:30 am | 4h 20m | Down (3%) | ESE 118° → SE 135°, up to 65° |
| Wed 18 Mar | 1:09 am – 5:39 am | 4h 30m | Down (0%) | ESE 118° → SE 139°, up to 67° |
| Thu 19 Mar | 1:08 am – 5:38 am | 4h 30m | Down (0%) | ESE 118° → SE 141°, up to 68° |
| Fri 20 Mar | 12:58 am – 5:38 am | 4h 40m | Down (3%) | ESE 118° → SE 142°, up to 68° |
| Sat 21 Mar | 12:57 am – 5:37 am | 4h 40m | Down (8%) | ESE 118° → SE 143°, up to 69° |
| Sun 22 Mar | 12:56 am – 5:36 am | 4h 40m | Down (16%) | ESE 118° → SE 145°, up to 69° |
| Mon 23 Mar | 12:56 am – 5:36 am | 4h 40m | Down (25%) | ESE 117° → SSE 146°, up to 70° |
| Tue 24 Mar | 12:45 am – 5:35 am | 4h 50m | Down (36%) | ESE 118° → SSE 148°, up to 70° |
| Wed 25 Mar | 12:44 am – 5:34 am | 4h 50m | Down (48%) | ESE 118° → SSE 150°, up to 71° |
| Thu 26 Mar | 1:24 am – 5:34 am | 4h 10m | Down (60%) | ESE 117° → SSE 152°, up to 71° |
| Fri 27 Mar | 2:23 am – 5:33 am | 3h 10m | Down (71%) | ESE 117° → SSE 154°, up to 71° |
| Sat 28 Mar | 3:32 am – 5:32 am | 2h 00m | Down (80%) | ESE 121° → SSE 156°, up to 72° |
| Sun 29 Mar | 4:22 am – 5:32 am | 1h 10m | Down (88%) | SE 129° → SSE 158°, up to 72° |
| Fri 10 Apr | 11:45 pm – 12:55 am | 1h 10m | Down (45%) | ESE 117° → ESE 116°, up to 27° |
| Sat 11 Apr | 11:34 pm – 1:54 am | 2h 20m | Down (35%) | ESE 118°, up to 41° |
| Sun 12 Apr | 11:34 pm – 2:44 am | 3h 10m | Down (26%) | ESE 118° → ESE 122°, up to 53° |
| Mon 13 Apr | 11:33 pm – 5:33 am | 6h 00m | Up, 17% lit | ESE 117° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Tue 14 Apr | 11:23 pm – 5:33 am | 6h 10m | Up, 10% lit | ESE 118° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Wed 15 Apr | 11:22 pm – 5:32 am | 6h 10m | Up, 4% lit | ESE 118° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Thu 16 Apr | 11:12 pm – 5:32 am | 6h 20m | Down (1%) | ESE 118° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Fri 17 Apr | 11:11 pm – 5:31 am | 6h 20m | Down (0%) | ESE 118° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Sat 18 Apr | 11:11 pm – 5:31 am | 6h 20m | Down (2%) | ESE 118° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Sun 19 Apr | 11:00 pm – 5:40 am | 6h 40m | Down (6%) | ESE 118° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Mon 20 Apr | 11:00 pm – 5:40 am | 6h 40m | Down (13%) | ESE 118° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Tue 21 Apr | 10:59 pm – 5:39 am | 6h 40m | Down (22%) | ESE 117° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Wed 22 Apr | 11:09 pm – 5:39 am | 6h 30m | Down (33%) | ESE 117° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Thu 23 Apr | 12:18 am – 5:38 am | 5h 20m | Down (44%) | ESE 117° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Fri 24 Apr | 1:18 am – 5:38 am | 4h 20m | Down (55%) | ESE 119° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Sat 25 Apr | 2:18 am – 5:38 am | 3h 20m | Down (66%) | SE 125° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Sun 26 Apr | 3:07 am – 5:37 am | 2h 30m | Down (76%) | SE 140° → S 184°, up to 73° |
| Mon 27 Apr | 3:57 am – 5:37 am | 1h 40m | Down (85%) | S 171° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Thu 7 May | 9:54 pm – 10:54 pm | 1h 00m | Down (71%) | ESE 118° → ESE 116°, up to 24° |
| Fri 8 May | 9:54 pm – 11:44 pm | 1h 50m | Down (61%) | ESE 117°, up to 36° |
| Sat 9 May | 9:43 pm – 12:33 am | 2h 50m | Down (51%) | ESE 118° → ESE 120°, up to 48° |
| Sun 10 May | 9:43 pm – 1:23 am | 3h 40m | Down (41%) | ESE 118° → SE 126°, up to 59° |
| Mon 11 May | 9:43 pm – 2:13 am | 4h 30m | Down (31%) | ESE 117° → SE 142°, up to 68° |
| Tue 12 May | 9:33 pm – 5:33 am | 8h 00m | Up, 21% lit | ESE 118° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Wed 13 May | 9:33 pm – 5:33 am | 8h 00m | Up, 13% lit | ESE 117° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Thu 14 May | 9:23 pm – 5:33 am | 8h 10m | Up, 7% lit | ESE 118° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Fri 15 May | 9:23 pm – 5:43 am | 8h 20m | Down (2%) | ESE 118° → S 184°, up to 73° |
| Sat 16 May | 9:22 pm – 5:42 am | 8h 20m | Down (0%) | ESE 117° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Sun 17 May | 9:12 pm – 5:42 am | 8h 30m | Down (1%) | ESE 118° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Mon 18 May | 9:12 pm – 5:42 am | 8h 30m | Down (5%) | ESE 118° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Tue 19 May | 9:02 pm – 5:42 am | 8h 40m | Down (11%) | ESE 118° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Wed 20 May | 9:02 pm – 5:42 am | 8h 40m | Up, 19% lit | ESE 118° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Thu 21 May | 11:02 pm – 5:42 am | 6h 40m | Down (29%) | ESE 117° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Fri 22 May | 12:02 am – 5:42 am | 5h 40m | Down (40%) | ESE 121° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Sat 23 May | 1:02 am – 5:42 am | 4h 40m | Down (51%) | SE 133° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Sun 24 May | 1:52 am – 5:42 am | 3h 50m | Down (62%) | SSE 158° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Mon 25 May | 2:42 am – 5:42 am | 3h 00m | Down (72%) | SSW 197°, up to 73° |
| Tue 26 May | 3:32 am – 5:42 am | 2h 10m | Down (81%) | SW 224°, up to 66° |
| Wed 27 May | 4:22 am – 5:42 am | 1h 20m | Down (88%) | WSW 236°, up to 55° |
| Thu 4 Jun | 8:03 pm – 9:33 pm | 1h 30m | Down (84%) | ESE 118° → ESE 117°, up to 31° |
| Fri 5 Jun | 8:03 pm – 10:33 pm | 2h 30m | Down (76%) | ESE 117° → ESE 119°, up to 44° |
| Sat 6 Jun | 7:53 pm – 11:23 pm | 3h 30m | Down (67%) | ESE 118° → SE 124°, up to 56° |
| Sun 7 Jun | 7:53 pm – 12:13 am | 4h 20m | Down (57%) | ESE 118° → SE 136°, up to 66° |
| Mon 8 Jun | 7:43 pm – 1:03 am | 5h 20m | Down (46%) | ESE 118° → SSE 165°, up to 73° |
| Tue 9 Jun | 7:43 pm – 1:53 am | 6h 10m | Down (35%) | ESE 118° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Wed 10 Jun | 7:43 pm – 2:43 am | 7h 00m | Down (25%) | ESE 117° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Thu 11 Jun | 7:44 pm – 5:44 am | 10h 00m | Up, 16% lit | ESE 117° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Fri 12 Jun | 7:44 pm – 5:44 am | 10h 00m | Up, 8% lit | ESE 117° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Sat 13 Jun | 7:44 pm – 5:44 am | 10h 00m | Down (3%) | ESE 117° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Sun 14 Jun | 7:44 pm – 5:44 am | 10h 00m | Down (0%) | ESE 117° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Mon 15 Jun | 7:44 pm – 5:44 am | 10h 00m | Down (1%) | ESE 117° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Tue 16 Jun | 7:45 pm – 5:45 am | 10h 00m | Down (3%) | ESE 117° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Wed 17 Jun | 7:45 pm – 5:45 am | 10h 00m | Up, 9% lit | ESE 117° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Thu 18 Jun | 7:45 pm – 5:45 am | 10h 00m | Up, 17% lit | ESE 117° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Fri 19 Jun | 10:45 pm – 5:45 am | 7h 00m | Down (26%) | SE 126° → S 184°, up to 73° |
| Sat 20 Jun | 11:45 pm – 5:45 am | 6h 00m | Down (36%) | SE 146° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Sun 21 Jun | 12:36 am – 5:46 am | 5h 10m | Down (47%) | S 182°, up to 73° |
| Mon 22 Jun | 1:26 am – 5:46 am | 4h 20m | Down (57%) | SW 217°, up to 69° |
| Tue 23 Jun | 2:06 am – 5:46 am | 3h 40m | Down (67%) | SW 231°, up to 61° |
| Wed 24 Jun | 2:56 am – 5:46 am | 2h 50m | Down (76%) | WSW 239°, up to 50° |
| Thu 25 Jun | 3:46 am – 5:46 am | 2h 00m | Down (84%) | WSW 243°, up to 39° |
| Fri 26 Jun | 4:37 am – 5:47 am | 1h 10m | Down (90%) | WSW 244°, up to 27° |
| Fri 3 Jul | 7:48 pm – 9:08 pm | 1h 20m | Down (88%) | ESE 117° → ESE 121°, up to 50° |
| Sat 4 Jul | 7:48 pm – 9:58 pm | 2h 10m | Down (81%) | ESE 117° → SE 129°, up to 61° |
| Sun 5 Jul | 7:49 pm – 10:49 pm | 3h 00m | Down (72%) | ESE 117° → SSE 147°, up to 70° |
| Mon 6 Jul | 7:49 pm – 11:39 pm | 3h 50m | Down (61%) | ESE 117° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Tue 7 Jul | 7:49 pm – 12:39 am | 4h 50m | Down (50%) | ESE 117° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Wed 8 Jul | 7:49 pm – 1:29 am | 5h 40m | Down (39%) | ESE 117° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Thu 9 Jul | 7:50 pm – 2:30 am | 6h 40m | Down (28%) | ESE 117° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Fri 10 Jul | 7:50 pm – 4:50 am | 9h 00m | Up, 18% lit | ESE 117° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Sat 11 Jul | 7:50 pm – 4:50 am | 9h 00m | Up, 10% lit | ESE 118° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Sun 12 Jul | 7:50 pm – 4:50 am | 9h 00m | Down (4%) | ESE 118° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Mon 13 Jul | 7:50 pm – 4:40 am | 8h 50m | Down (1%) | ESE 118° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Tue 14 Jul | 7:51 pm – 4:41 am | 8h 50m | Down (0%) | ESE 118° → S 179°, up to 73° |
| Wed 15 Jul | 7:51 pm – 4:31 am | 8h 40m | Down (2%) | ESE 118° → S 182°, up to 73° |
| Thu 16 Jul | 7:51 pm – 4:31 am | 8h 40m | Up, 7% lit | ESE 119° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Fri 17 Jul | 7:51 pm – 4:21 am | 8h 30m | Up, 14% lit | ESE 119° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Sat 18 Jul | 7:51 pm – 4:21 am | 8h 30m | Up, 22% lit | ESE 119° → S 184°, up to 73° |
| Sun 19 Jul | 11:11 pm – 4:21 am | 5h 10m | Down (32%) | SSW 201°, up to 72° |
| Mon 20 Jul | 12:02 am – 4:12 am | 4h 10m | Down (42%) | SW 226°, up to 65° |
| Tue 21 Jul | 12:52 am – 4:12 am | 3h 20m | Down (52%) | WSW 237°, up to 54° |
| Wed 22 Jul | 1:42 am – 4:02 am | 2h 20m | Down (61%) | WSW 242°, up to 43° |
| Thu 23 Jul | 2:32 am – 4:02 am | 1h 30m | Down (71%) | WSW 243°, up to 31° |
| Sun 2 Aug | 7:53 pm – 9:33 pm | 1h 40m | Down (84%) | SE 126° → S 169°, up to 73° |
| Mon 3 Aug | 7:53 pm – 10:23 pm | 2h 30m | Down (75%) | SE 127° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Tue 4 Aug | 7:53 pm – 11:23 pm | 3h 30m | Down (65%) | SE 128° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Wed 5 Aug | 7:53 pm – 12:13 am | 4h 20m | Down (54%) | SE 129° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Thu 6 Aug | 7:53 pm – 1:23 am | 5h 30m | Down (42%) | SE 130° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Fri 7 Aug | 7:53 pm – 2:23 am | 6h 30m | Down (31%) | SE 131° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Sat 8 Aug | 7:53 pm – 3:03 am | 7h 10m | Down (21%) | SE 132° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Sun 9 Aug | 7:53 pm – 2:53 am | 7h 00m | Down (12%) | SE 133° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Mon 10 Aug | 7:53 pm – 2:53 am | 7h 00m | Down (5%) | SE 134° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Tue 11 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:44 am | 6h 50m | Down (1%) | SE 135° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Wed 12 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:44 am | 6h 50m | Down (0%) | SE 136° → S 177°, up to 73° |
| Thu 13 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:44 am | 6h 50m | Down (1%) | SE 138° → S 180°, up to 73° |
| Fri 14 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:34 am | 6h 40m | Up, 5% lit | SE 139° → S 183°, up to 73° |
| Sat 15 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:34 am | 6h 40m | Up, 11% lit | SE 141° → S 178°, up to 73° |
| Sun 16 Aug | 7:54 pm – 2:24 am | 6h 30m | Up, 18% lit | SE 143° → S 181°, up to 73° |
| Mon 17 Aug | 10:44 pm – 2:24 am | 3h 40m | Down (27%) | SW 234°, up to 58° |
| Tue 18 Aug | 11:34 pm – 2:24 am | 2h 50m | Down (36%) | WSW 240°, up to 47° |
| Wed 19 Aug | 12:24 am – 2:14 am | 1h 50m | Down (46%) | WSW 243°, up to 36° |
| Mon 31 Aug | 7:53 pm – 9:13 pm | 1h 20m | Down (87%) | S 180°, up to 73° |
| Tue 1 Sep | 7:53 pm – 10:03 pm | 2h 10m | Down (79%) | S 183°, up to 73° |
| Wed 2 Sep | 7:53 pm – 11:03 pm | 3h 10m | Down (69%) | S 186°, up to 73° |
| Thu 3 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:13 am | 4h 20m | Down (58%) | S 189°, up to 73° |
| Fri 4 Sep | 7:53 pm – 1:13 am | 5h 20m | Down (46%) | SSW 192°, up to 73° |
| Sat 5 Sep | 7:53 pm – 1:13 am | 5h 20m | Down (34%) | SSW 194°, up to 73° |
| Sun 6 Sep | 7:53 pm – 1:03 am | 5h 10m | Down (24%) | SSW 197°, up to 73° |
| Mon 7 Sep | 7:53 pm – 1:03 am | 5h 10m | Down (14%) | SSW 200°, up to 72° |
| Tue 8 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:53 am | 5h 00m | Down (7%) | SSW 202°, up to 72° |
| Wed 9 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:53 am | 5h 00m | Down (2%) | SSW 205°, up to 72° |
| Thu 10 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:53 am | 5h 00m | Down (0%) | SSW 207°, up to 71° |
| Fri 11 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:43 am | 4h 50m | Down (0%) | SSW 209°, up to 71° |
| Sat 12 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:43 am | 4h 50m | Down (3%) | SSW 211°, up to 70° |
| Sun 13 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:43 am | 4h 50m | Up, 8% lit | SSW 213°, up to 70° |
| Mon 14 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:33 am | 4h 40m | Up, 14% lit | SW 215°, up to 69° |
| Tue 15 Sep | 7:53 pm – 12:33 am | 4h 40m | Up, 21% lit | SW 217°, up to 69° |
| Wed 16 Sep | 11:12 pm – 12:22 am | 1h 10m | Down (30%) | WSW 244°, up to 27° |
| Tue 29 Sep | 7:53 pm – 8:53 pm | 1h 00m | Down (90%) | SW 234°, up to 59° |
| Wed 30 Sep | 7:53 pm – 9:53 pm | 2h 00m | Down (82%) | SW 234°, up to 58° |
| Thu 1 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:03 pm | 3h 10m | Down (72%) | SW 235°, up to 57° |
| Fri 2 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:23 pm | 3h 30m | Down (61%) | SW 236°, up to 56° |
| Sat 3 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:23 pm | 3h 30m | Down (50%) | SW 236°, up to 56° |
| Sun 4 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:13 pm | 3h 20m | Down (38%) | WSW 237°, up to 55° |
| Mon 5 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:13 pm | 3h 20m | Down (27%) | WSW 237°, up to 54° |
| Tue 6 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:03 pm | 3h 10m | Down (17%) | WSW 238°, up to 53° |
| Wed 7 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:03 pm | 3h 10m | Down (10%) | WSW 238°, up to 52° |
| Thu 8 Oct | 7:53 pm – 11:03 pm | 3h 10m | Down (4%) | WSW 239°, up to 51° |
| Fri 9 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:54 pm | 3h 00m | Down (1%) | WSW 239°, up to 51° |
| Sat 10 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:54 pm | 3h 00m | Down (0%) | WSW 240°, up to 50° |
| Sun 11 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:44 pm | 2h 50m | Down (1%) | WSW 240°, up to 49° |
| Mon 12 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:44 pm | 2h 50m | Up, 5% lit | WSW 240°, up to 48° |
| Tue 13 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:44 pm | 2h 50m | Up, 10% lit | WSW 241°, up to 47° |
| Wed 14 Oct | 7:54 pm – 10:34 pm | 2h 40m | Up, 16% lit | WSW 241°, up to 46° |
| Thu 15 Oct | 7:55 pm – 10:35 pm | 2h 40m | Up, 23% lit | WSW 241°, up to 45° |
| Thu 29 Oct | 7:59 pm – 9:39 pm | 1h 40m | Down (85%) | WSW 243°, up to 33° |
| Fri 30 Oct | 7:59 pm – 9:29 pm | 1h 30m | Down (76%) | WSW 243°, up to 32° |
| Sat 31 Oct | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | 1h 30m | Down (65%) | WSW 243°, up to 31° |
| Sun 1 Nov | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | 1h 30m | Down (54%) | WSW 244°, up to 30° |
| Mon 2 Nov | 8:00 pm – 9:20 pm | 1h 20m | Down (42%) | WSW 244°, up to 29° |
| Tue 3 Nov | 8:01 pm – 9:21 pm | 1h 20m | Down (31%) | WSW 244°, up to 28° |
| Wed 4 Nov | 8:01 pm – 9:11 pm | 1h 10m | Down (21%) | WSW 244°, up to 27° |
| Thu 5 Nov | 8:02 pm – 9:12 pm | 1h 10m | Down (13%) | WSW 244°, up to 26° |
| Fri 6 Nov | 8:02 pm – 9:02 pm | 1h 00m | Down (7%) | WSW 244°, up to 25° |
| Sat 7 Nov | 8:03 pm – 9:03 pm | 1h 00m | Down (3%) | WSW 244°, up to 24° |
Across Northern Territory
The calendar above is worked out for Darwin. The moon sets the season's first and last nights, so they barely move across NT. What changes is how high the core climbs and how long the dark windows run.
| Town | Great nights | Good nights | Longest window | Best month | Highest core |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 120 | 42 | 10h 00m | June | 73° |
| Alice Springs | 126 | 40 | 10h 30m | June | 85° |
| Yulara (Uluru) | 126 | 39 | 10h 40m | June | 86° |
Dark-sky sites in Northern Territory
Darwin's own sky is too bright to show the core well. These spots are dark enough to see it with the naked eye on a good night.
- Litchfield National Park, 80 km from Darwin. Waterfalls and termite mounds, about 90 minutes from Darwin.
- Ubirr, Kakadu National Park, 230 km from Darwin. A rock-art lookout over the floodplain.
- Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges, 1,257 km from Darwin. A desert gorge west of Alice Springs.
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 1,432 km from Darwin (Bortle 4). The red centre, hundreds of kilometres from any city.
Questions
When is the best time to see the Milky Way in Northern Territory in 2026?
June and July. In June, 18 nights from Darwin have a dark core window of 3 hours or more, and the typical window is 6h 00m. Plan around the new moon: the nights either side of full moon drop out.
How high does the Milky Way core get in Northern Territory?
From Darwin it climbs to 73° above the southern horizon. In Yulara (Uluru) it reaches 86°. The higher the core, the less haze and light glow it shines through.
When does the Milky Way season start and end in Northern Territory?
In 2026 the first night with the core up in a dark sky is 29 January, and the last is 7 November. Early in the season the core rises before dawn; by the end it is low in the west soon after dusk.
What time is the core up in June?
On June 15 it is more than 10° up from 7:20 pm to 6:30 am Darwin time. The dark part of that is the window shown for each night above.