Updated October 2026 · By the Treks and Trails astronomy team · Times in IST, calculated for Mumbai
The best stargazing near Mumbai happens from October to May, on moonless nights, at dark sites 2 to 4 hours from the city such as Bhandardara, Igatpuri and Asangaon. This season's top nights are the new-moon weekends of 10 Oct, 7 Nov, 12 Dec, 9 Jan, 6 Feb and 6 Mar, plus the Geminid meteor shower on 13–14 December 2026.
Our overnight camps include large telescopes, expert astronomers, tents and meals, from ₹1,699 per person.
Quick facts
- Season: October to May (monsoon clouds from June to September)
- Best meteor shower: Geminids, 13–14 Dec 2026. The Moon sets at 9:35 pm
- Planets: Saturn in the evenings (Oct–Feb), Jupiter and Mars at opposition in Feb 2027, Venus before dawn (Nov–Mar)
- Milky Way core: early October evenings, then before dawn from mid-February to May
- Who can join: anyone aged 5 and above. No astronomy knowledge needed
Stargazing near Mumbai
Best nights for stargazing near Mumbai
Pick a weekend close to the new moon. With no Moon in the sky, you'll see far more stars, nebulae and the Milky Way. These nights are dark for all or most of the night:
October 2026: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October.
November 2026: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November.
December 2026: Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December, plus Sunday 13 December for the Geminid meteor shower.
January 2027: Friday 8 and Saturday 9 January. These are the longest dark nights of the season, with more than 10 hours of darkness.
February 2027: Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February.
March 2027: Friday 5 and Saturday 6 March.
April 2027: Saturday 3 and Friday 9 April.
May 2027: Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May.
Full moons this season fall on 26 October, 24 November and 24 December 2026, then 22 January, 21 February, 22 March, 21 April and 20 May 2027. Those nights are best for viewing the Moon and planets, not faint objects.
Meteor showers visible from Mumbai (Oct 2026 – May 2027)
Orionids, 21–22 October: watch from 2:45 to 5:20 am, after the Moon sets. Conditions are fair.
Northern Taurids, 11–12 November: watch from 8:30 pm to 5:20 am. The Moon sets early, so the sky stays dark all night. Look for slow, bright fireballs. Conditions are very good.
Leonids, 16–17 November: watch from 2:30 to 5:30 am. Mars and Jupiter shine in the same part of the sky that morning. Conditions are good.
Geminids, 13–14 December: watch from 10 pm to 5:40 am. Expect up to 150 meteors an hour under dark skies. This is the best meteor shower of the season, and conditions are excellent.
Quadrantids, 3–4 January 2027: watch from 3:30 to 5:45 am. The peak is short and a thin crescent Moon rises before dawn. Conditions are fair.
Eta Aquariids, 5–6 May 2027: watch from 3:30 to 4:45 am. It's a new moon, so the sky is fully dark. Conditions are very good.
The Ursids (December) and Lyrids (April) fall near the full moon this season, so they're poor from Mumbai.
What happens on 13 and 14 December 2026? The Geminid meteor shower peaks, the strongest of the year. From Mumbai, the Moon sets at 9:35 pm. The best viewing is from 10 pm to dawn, peaking around 1–3 am, from a dark site away from city lights.
Planets visible from Mumbai (Oct 2026 – May 2027)
- Saturn: evening planet from October to February, with its rings visible in any telescope.
- Jupiter: rises after midnight in Oct–Nov and before 11 pm from mid-December. Opposition on 11 Feb 2027, when it's up all night.
- Mars: at opposition on 19 Feb 2027 in Leo, up all night. It's in the evening sky from March to May.
- Venus: brilliant morning star from mid-November to March. It's highest on 4 Jan 2027.
- 16 Nov 2026, before dawn: Mars and Jupiter pass just 1.2° apart, about two Moon-widths.
What you can see in the night sky, month by month
October: Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Milky Way core in the early evening.
November: the Pleiades, the Double Cluster, and Mars and Jupiter after midnight.
December: the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades and the Geminid meteor shower.
January: Orion, Sirius, Canopus, and Venus before dawn.
February: Jupiter and Mars all night, the Beehive Cluster, and the Southern Cross after 1 am.
March: galaxies in Leo, Omega Centauri, and the Milky Way core from 3 am.
April: the Southern Cross from about 9:30 pm, Alpha Centauri around midnight, and the Milky Way core from 1 am.
May: the Milky Way core from 11 pm, Scorpius and the Eta Aquariid meteor shower.
Mumbai's latitude (19° N) lets you see southern objects such as the Southern Cross, Alpha Centauri and Omega Centauri. These never rise for most of Europe and the US.
Can you see the Milky Way near Mumbai?
Yes, from a dark site at least 2 hours from the city, on a moonless night. The bright core is visible in early October evenings until about 8:40 pm. It returns before dawn from mid-February, rising around 3 am in March, 1 am in April and 11 pm in May. April and May are the best months.
Bhandardara is one of the darkest skies within reach of Mumbai. There, the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye.
Can you see stars from Mumbai city?
Only the brightest ones. Light pollution, coastal haze and smog hide most stars in Mumbai. From the city you can see the Moon, the bright planets and stars like Sirius and Orion's Betelgeuse. To see thousands of stars, head 100 to 185 km out to the Sahyadri villages.
Best places for stargazing near Mumbai
Bhandardara (Samrad): about 185 km from Mumbai, around 4 hours. Take the AC bus with pickups from Borivali to Kalyan, or the train to Kasara. It has the darkest skies of our sites and is the best place near Mumbai to see the Milky Way.
Igatpuri (Bham Lake): about 120 km from Mumbai by road. It's ideal for Milky Way photography with lakeside camping.
Dehene, near Asangaon: take the Central line train to Asangaon. It's a good choice for first-timers and families.
FAQs
How much does stargazing near Mumbai cost?
Our overnight camps start at ₹1,699 per person, with tent stay, meals and all telescope sessions included.
What happens on a stargazing night?
Expert astronomers guide you through large telescopes, with sessions at 7:30 pm, 11 pm and 4:30 am. You'll also learn constellation stories and the basics of astrophotography.
Can kids join?
Yes. Anyone aged 5 and above can join, including families, couples, solo travellers and corporate groups.
What if it's cloudy?
Stargazing depends on the weather. If clouds roll in, sessions pause, and our team arranges other activities. Camping, meals and the trek go ahead as planned.
Can I go stargazing near Mumbai by train?
Yes. Take the Central line to Asangaon or Kasara, or the Western line to Saphale, and we'll pick you up from the station.
How cold does it get?
At Bhandardara, winter nights can drop to around 10°C. Carry a warm jacket and socks.
Is it safe for women and solo travellers?
Yes. Our campsites are private, with separate toilets for women and men, and trip leaders stay with the group throughout.
Which planet can I see tonight from Mumbai?
Saturn is in the evening sky from October to February. Jupiter and Mars are up in the evenings from February to May. Venus shines before sunrise from mid-November to March.