skies for days
pure skies. bright skies. night skies.
the santa fe effect
the skies
it’s kind of our thing around here. day or night, there’s usually some level of awesome involved.
did you know?
shhhh… new mexico is a (hidden) gem
pure skies
Over the years, Santa Fe has been nationally recognized for its high air quality and incredible sky views.
bright skies
The City Different enjoys 325 days of sun on average. Now that’s some vitamin D right there!
night skies
In 1999, New Mexico enacted the Night Sky Protection Act, making dark skies a priority for the health of all inhabitants.
starry skies
With limited artificial “skyglow”, enjoy darker skies than 80% of Americans typically experience.
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the 2023 chart
From special moons to meteor showers, we’ve compiled some fun info to help you plan your stay
january
temp average
highs 45°
lows 22°
temp actual 2020
highest 52°
lowest 14°
temp actual 2021
highest 50°
lowest 12°
temp actual 2022
highest 54°
lowest 10°
6th
sun ↑ 7:13 AM ↓ 5:05 PM
moon ↓ 7:20 AM ↑ 4:50 PM
full
daylight 9h 52M
special moon
6th
mini full moon
a full moon coinciding with the moon’s orbit being at its farthest point from earth
14th
sun ↑ 7:12 AM ↓ 5:12 PM
moon ↓ 11:27 AM ↑ n/a
q3
daylight 10h 0M
21st
sun ↑ 7:10 AM ↓ 5:19 PM
moon ↑ 7:24 AM ↓ 5:14 PM
full
daylight 10h 9M
special moon
21st
super new moon
a new moon that occurs when the moon’s orbit is at closest point to earth; no visible moon makes for great star watching
28th
sun ↑ 7:06 AM ↓ 5:26 PM
moon ↓ 12:19 AM ↑ 11:21 PM
q1
daylight 10h 20M
sky show
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Quadrantid | Predawn | North | Jan. 3-4 | 25 | N/A |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
Quadrantid is the 1st of 3 most prominent showers in the calendar year
february
temp average
highs 49°
lows 25°
temp actual 2020
highest 58°
lowest 9°
temp actual 2021
highest 57°
lowest -3°
temp actual 2022
highest 57°
lowest -1°
5th
sun ↑ 7:00 AM ↓ 5:35 PM
moon ↓7:20 AM ↑ 5:38 PM
full
daylight 10h 34M
5th
mini full moon
a full moon coinciding with the moon’s orbit being at its farthest point from earth
13th
sun ↑ 6:53 AM ↓ 5:43 PM
moon ↑ 12:38 AM ↓ 10:58 AM
q3
daylight 10h 50M
20th
sun ↑ 6:45 AM ↓ 5:50 PM
moon ↑ 7:20 AM ↓ 6:34 PM
new
daylight 11h 4M
special moon
20th
super new moon
a new moon that occurs when the moon’s orbit is at closest point to earth; no visible moon makes for great star watching
27th
sun ↑ 6:37 AM ↓ 5:56 PM
moon ↓ 1:17 AM ↑ 11:03 AM
q1
daylight 11h 19M
march
temp average
highs 58°
lows 31°
temp actual 2020
highest 63°
lowest 25°
temp actual 2021
highest 68°
lowest 19°
temp actual 2022
highest 72°
lowest 15°
7th
sun ↑ 6:26 AM ↓ 6:03 PM
moon ↓ 6:47 AM ↑ 6:26 PM
full
daylight 11h 37M
14th
sun ↑ 7:17 AM ↓ 7:09 PM
moon ↑ 1:46 AM ↓ 11:23 AM
q3
daylight 11h 53M
21st
sun ↑ 7:07 AM ↓ 7:15 PM
moon ↑ 7:18 AM ↓ 7:31 PM
new
daylight 12h 8M
28th
sun ↑ 6:57 AM ↓ 7:21 PM
moon ↓ 2:04 AM ↑ 11:29 AM
q1
daylight 12h 24M
spring equinox
03.20.23
3:24 PM
The vernal equinox is the first of two yearly events when the length of day is nearly equal to length of night. The sun shines equally on the southern and northern hemispheres, and south of the equator enters the fall season while north of the equator enters spring season.
april
temp average
highs 66°
lows 37°
temp actual 2020
highest 82°
lowest 23°
temp actual 2021
highest 75°
lowest 27°
temp actual 2022
highest 76°
lowest 25°
5th
sun ↑ 6:46 AM ↓ 7:27 PM
moon ↓ 6:39 AM ↑ 7:16 PM
full
daylight 12h 42M
13th
sun ↑ 6:35 AM ↓ 7:34 PM
moon ↑ 2:46 AM ↓ 12:24 PM
q3
daylight 12h 59M
19th
sun ↑ 6:27 AM ↓ 7:39 PM
moon ↑ 6:13 AM ↓ 7:28 PM
new
daylight 13h 12M
27th
sun ↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 7:45 PM
moon ↓ 2:18 AM ↑ 12:08 PM
q1
daylight 13h 28M
sky show
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Lyrid | Predawn | South | April 21-22 | 10 | Thatcher |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
may
temp average
highs 75°
lows 45°
temp actual 2020
highest 86°
lowest 40°
temp actual 2021
highest 81°
lowest 37°
temp actual 2022
highest 87°
lowest 32°
5th
sun ↑ 6:09 AM ↓ 7:52 PM
moon ↓ 6:00 AM ↑ 8:15 PM
full
daylight 13h 43M
12th
sun ↑ 6:02 AM ↓ 7:58 PM
moon ↑ 2:14 AM ↓ 12:40 PM
q3
daylight 13h 56M
19th
sun ↑ 5:57 AM ↓ 8:03 PM
moon ↑ 5:46 AM ↓ 8:33 PM
new
daylight 14h 7M
special moon
19th
seasonal black moon
the third new moon in a season having four new moons, typically occurring every 33 months or so depending on time zones
27th
sun ↑ 5:52 AM ↓ 8:09 PM
moon ↓ 1:53 AM ↑ 12:52 PM
q1
daylight 14h 17M
sky show
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Eta Aquarid | Predawn | SouthEast | May 4-5 | 10 | Halley |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
june
temp average
highs 87°
lows 56°
temp actual 2020
highest 92°
lowest 39°
temp actual 2021
highest 95°
lowest 41°
temp actual 2022
highest 95°
lowest 50°
3rd
sun ↑ 5:49 AM ↓ 8:14 PM
moon ↓ 5:09 AM ↑ 8:17 PM
full
daylight 14h 24M
10th
sun ↑ 5:48 AM ↓ 8:18 PM
moon ↑ 1:23 AM ↓ 12:52 PM
q3
daylight 14h 30M
17th
sun ↑ 5:48 AM ↓ 8:21 PM
moon ↑ 5:05 AM ↓ 8:26 PM
new
daylight 14h 32M
26th
sun ↑ 5:50 AM ↓ 8:23 PM
moon ↓ 1:07 AM ↑ 1:34 PM
q1
daylight 14h 32M
summer solstice
06.21.23
8:57 AM
The summer solstice occurs when the earth’s tilt toward the sun is at a maximum; the sun is at is highest point in the sky and it is the longest day of the year. The sun shines directly on the northern hemisphere and indirectly on the southern, and south of the equator enters the winter season while north of the equator enters summer season.
july
temp average
highs 88°
lows 60°
temp actual 2020
highest 97°
lowest 56°
temp actual 2021
highest 93°
lowest 56°
temp actual 2022
highest 96°
lowest 55°
3rd
sun ↑ 5:53 AM ↓ 8:23 PM
moon ↓ 5:42 AM ↑ 9:15 PM
full
daylight 14h 30M
9th
sun ↑ 5:56 AM ↓ 8:22 PM
moon ↑ 12:23 AM ↓ 12:58 PM
q3
daylight 14h 26M
17th
sun ↑ 6:01 AM ↓ 8:19 PM
moon ↑ 5:38 AM ↓ 8:49 PM
new
daylight 14h 18M
25th
sun ↑ 6:07 AM ↓ 8:14 PM
moon ↑ 1:23 PM ↓ n/a
q1
daylight 14h 7M
sky show
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Delta Aquarid | Predawn | South | July 29-30 | 10 | N/A |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
august
temp average
highs 86°
lows 58°
temp actual 2020
highest 93°
lowest 56°
temp actual 2021
highest 90°
lowest 54°
temp actual 2022
highest 88°
lowest 53°
1st
sun ↑ 6:12 AM ↓ 8:08 PM
moon ↓5:45 AM ↑8:41 PM
full
daylight 13h 56M
special moon
1st
SUPER FULL MOON
a full moon that appears larger and brighter than normal due to the moon being closer to earth
8th
sun ↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 8:02 PM
moon ↓ 2:07 PM ↑ n/a
q3
daylight 13h 44M
16th
sun ↑ 6:23 AM ↓ 7:53 PM
moon ↑6:29 PM ↓8:27 PM
new
daylight 13h 29M
special moon
16TH
MINI NEW MOON
a new moon at the closest point to earth; no visible moon makes for great star watching
24th
sun ↑ 6:29 AM ↓ 7:43 PM
moon ↑ 2:28 PM ↓ n/a
q1
daylight 13h 13M
30th
sun ↑ 6:34 AM ↓ 7:35 PM
moon ↓5:51 AM ↑7:47 PM
full
daylight 13h 1M
special moon
30TH
SUPER FULL MOON
a full moon that appears larger and brighter than normal due to the moon being closer to earth
BLUE MOON
a second full moon in any calendar month
sky show
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Perseid | Predawn | NorthEast | Aug. 11-13 | 50 | Swift-Tuttle |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
Perseid is the 2nd of 3 most prominent showers in the calendar year
september
temp average
highs 79°
lows 52°
temp actual 2020
highest 91°
lowest 33°
temp actual 2021
highest 91°
lowest 45°
temp actual 2022
highest 89°
lowest 48°
6th
sun ↑ 6:39 AM ↓ 7:25 PM
moon ↓ 2:06 PM ↑ 11:42 PM
q3
daylight 12h 46M
14th
sun ↑ 6:45 AM ↓ 7:14 PM
moon ↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 7:20 PM
new
daylight 12h 29M
22nd
sun ↑ 6:51 AM ↓ 7:02 PM
moon ↑ 2:30 PM ↓ 11:51 PM
q1
daylight 12h 11M
29th
sun ↑ 6:56 AM ↓ 6:52 PM
moon ↓ 7:07 AM ↑ 7:14 PM
full
daylight 11h 56M
fall equinox
09.23.23
12:50 AM
The autumnal equinox is the second of two yearly events when the length of day is nearly equal to length of night. The sun shines equally on the southern and northern hemispheres, and south of the equator enters the spring season while north of the equator enters fall season.
october
temp average
highs 68°
lows 41°
temp actual 2020
highest 81°
lowest 13°
temp actual 2021
highest 75°
lowest 30°
temp actual 2022
highest 75°
lowest 26°
6th
sun ↑ 7:02 AM ↓ 6:42 PM
moon ↓ 2:45 PM ↑ n/a
q3
daylight 11h 40M
14th
sun ↑ 7:08 AM ↓ 6:31 PM
moon ↑ 7:02 AM ↓ 6:34 PM
new
daylight 11h 23M
special event
annular solar eclipse saturday morning, october 14
duration 2h 56m
maximum 10:37 am
an annular solar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth, and new moon are completely lined up resulting in moon’s shadow mostly covering the center of the sun and forming a “ring of fire” around the edge
21st
sun ↑ 7:14 AM ↓ 6:22 PM
moon ↑ 2:16 PM ↓ 11:56 PM
q1
daylight 11h 8M
28th
sun ↑ 7:21 AM ↓ 6:14 PM
moon ↓ 7:05 AM ↑ 6:11 PM
full
daylight 10h 53M
sky shows
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Draconid | Late evening | NorthWest | Oct. 8-10 | 6 | Giacobini / Zinner |
| Orionid | Predawn | South | Oct. 20-21 | 15 | Halley |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
“Late evening” means approximately between 10 p.m. and midnight (or a little past)
november
temp average
highs 56°
lows 31°
temp actual 2020
highest 69°
lowest 19°
temp actual 2021
highest 68°
lowest 23°
temp actual 2022
highest 66°
lowest 17°
5th
sun ↑ 6:28 AM ↓ 5:06 PM
moon ↓ 1:35 PM ↑ N/A
q3
daylight 10h 38M
13th
sun ↑ 6:36 AM ↓ 4:59 PM
moon ↑ 6:58 AM ↓ 5:06 PM
new
daylight 10h 23M
20th
sun ↑ 6:43 AM ↓ 4:55 PM
moon ↑ 1:14 PM ↓ N/A
q1
daylight 10h 12M
27th
sun ↑ 6:50 AM ↓ 4:52 PM
moon ↓ 7:17 AM ↑ 5:01 PM
full
daylight 10h 2M
sky shows
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Northern Taurid | Late evening | South | Nov. 11-12 | 3 | Encke |
| Leonid | Predawn | South | Nov. 16-17 | 10 | Tempel-Tuttle |
| Andromedid | Late evening | South | Nov. 25-27 | 5 | Biela |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
“Late evening” means approximately between 10 p.m. and midnight (or a little past)
december
temp average
highs 45°
lows 23°
temp actual 2020
highest 54°
lowest 9°
temp actual 2021
highest 62°
lowest 12°
temp actual 2022
highest 54°
lowest 8°
4th
sun ↑ 6:56 AM ↓ 4:51 PM
moon ↓12:29 PM ↑ 11:45 PM
q3
daylight 9h 55M
12th
sun ↑ 7:03 AM ↓ 4:51 PM
moon ↑ 6:57 AM ↓ 4:29 PM
new
daylight 9h 49M
19th
sun ↑ 7:07 AM ↓ 4:53 PM
moon ↑ 12:16 PM ↓ n/a
q1
daylight 9h 46M
26th
sun ↑ 7:11 AM ↓ 4:57 PM
moon ↓ 7:11 AM ↑ 4:35 PM
full
daylight 9h 46M
sky shows
| SHOWER | BEST VIEWING | POINT OF ORIGIN | DATE OF MAXIMUM* | NO. PER HOUR** | ASSOCIATED COMET |
| Geminid | All night | NorthEast | Dec. 13-14 | 75 | N/A |
| Ursid | Predawn | North | Dec. 21-22 | 5 | Tuttle |
*May vary by one or two days **Moonless, rural sky
“Predawn” means between midnight and about an hour before morning twilight. Best time to view most major showers.
Geminid is the 3rd of 3 most prominent showers in the calendar year
winter solstice
12.21.23
8:27 PM
The winter solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere when the sun is directly over the tropic of capricorn; it is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The sun shines directly on the southern hemisphere and indirectly on the northern, and south of the equator enters the summer season while north of the equator enters winter season.
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