Beginner telescope
Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Reflector
A budget Newtonian that shows the Moon's craters and Jupiter's moons. Best for first-timers who want aperture for the money.
Stargazing in Seattle, Washington
Seattle's sky is bright and often cloudy, so stargazing here is a game of timing. The reward for patience is real: when a summer high-pressure ridge parks over the Cascades, you get long stretches of clear, mild nights. Bright planets and the Moon punch through the city glow easily; faint deep-sky objects need a drive.
The sky from Seattle, right now
- Planets
- Constellation lines
- Deep-sky (Messier)
- Ecliptic — the planets' path
- Milky Way
- Horizon
Live planetarium for your location & local time · drag to explore · bright stars & Messier objects labelled.
Seattle, Washington sky at a glance
- Sky darkness
- Bortle 8 — city skies
- Elevation
- 175 ft
- Best months
- July, August, September
- Coordinates
- 47.61°, -122.33°
When to look up
October through May is dominated by marine-layer cloud. Late July to early September is your best window for clear nights.
Worth hunting for from here: Jupiter and Saturn at opposition; the Moon's terminator; Vega, Deneb and Altair (the Summer Triangle).
Escaping the city glow
Head to Rattlesnake Ledge or up US-2 toward Stevens Pass to escape the worst of the city's skyglow.
Light pollution around Seattle, Washington
NASA VIIRS night lights (Black Marble) · brighter = more skyglow · darker = better stargazing.
Gear to get started
New to observing from Seattle? These beginner-friendly picks suit city skies. See our full gear guides for more.
Beginner telescope
Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope
A compact GoTo Maksutov that finds and tracks targets automatically — the easiest path from 'I bought a telescope' to actually seeing things.
Astronomy binoculars
Celestron SkyMaster 25x70 Binoculars
The classic 'try astronomy without a telescope' pick. Sweeps the Milky Way and resolves bright star clusters. Use a tripod adapter.