Learn — Milky Way Tonight

Astrophotography Fundamentals

The Bortle Scale Explained

What the 1 to 9 scale actually measures, why it matters for Milky Way photography, and how to find your Bortle class before leaving home.

The NPF Rule: Shutter Speed for Stars

Why the 500 rule is outdated, what NPF actually accounts for, and how to calculate your exact maximum shutter speed for any lens and sensor combination.

Milky Way Season and Timing

Season and Timing

When Is Milky Way Season?

The galactic core is only visible part of the year, and only for certain hours each night within that window. Here's how to understand exactly when and where it will be.

Season and Timing

How to Use a Milky Way Visibility Calendar

What excellent, good, brief, and blocked mean in the app, and how to use the annual view to plan a full season of shoots in one sitting.

Reading the App's Data

How to Read a Milky Way Forecast

What the verdict, window times, and quality ratings in Milky Way Tonight actually mean, and how to use them to make the go or no call quickly.

Cloud Cover: Why the Window Forecast Matters

A 40% cloud average can hide a perfectly clear window from 10 PM to 2 AM. Here's how Milky Way Tonight calculates cloud cover for your specific visibility window.

Location Guides

Best Dark Sky Parks in the American Southwest

Joshua Tree, Natural Bridges, Capitol Reef, and five others: Bortle class, best months, foreground options, and access notes for each.

Best Dark Sky Sites in the Eastern US

Cherry Springs, Spruce Knob, and the Adirondacks. The East has more dark sky than most people realize. Here's where to find it.

New guides added regularly

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Written by Jack Fusco from direct shooting experience.

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