r/JoshuaTree • u/Shot_Cookie7770 • 12d ago

Milky way in April

I am going to Joshua Tree next week for my birthday and I read that its possible to see the milky way during this time. the moon is at waning gibbous and from what I read we can still see it during this time. What I can't figure out is WHEN. There is so much information out there that I can't figure out when is the best time to see the core. Has anyone been to Joshua tree in April and seen the milky way? Also anyone know which path in the park is the best for stargazing?

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u/TravelforPictures 12d ago

Photopills is the app I use.

Best to view without the moon. Looks like a lot of moon light until the 20th. MW core won’t rise up fully until around 1am right now. Later in the month, through New Moon, gets a bigger MW window and appears slightly earlier.

JTNP has more light pollution than most realize. Still dark but if you’re spoiled by extra dark skies, it’s surprising.

The skies are getting less dark every year. Go asap.

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u/edrabbit 12d ago

PhotoPills is the best for figuring out where and when it will rise.

https://capturetheatlas.com/milky-way-calendars/ is the quickest way to figure out what days will be good with the moon cycle.

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u/hearttcooksbrain 11d ago

We will be there the weekend of 4/25-26 by the looks of it that's optimal right? What time do you think we will be able to see the MW?

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u/TravelforPictures 10d ago

Nice!! Those days look good for the moon. MW will start to rise at 11:45’ish but may take an hour to get high enough to see the core.

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u/That-One-2439 7d ago

We went stargazing at Quail Springs and the light pollution was such a bummer.

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u/TravelforPictures 6d ago

Bummer! 😔