A new study from The Action Network ranks Arizona No. 9 nationwide for January night-sky viewing, ahead of the Wolf Moon (Jan. 3) and the Quadrantid meteor shower (Jan. 4–12), one of the most significant night-sky events of the year.

The analysis evaluated all 50 states using 10 equally weighted metrics spanning sky darkness, light pollution, weather conditions, air clarity, elevation, astronomical geometry, and real-world meteor and fireball observations.

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Key Highlights: Why Arizona Ranks No. 9

• Strong overall viewing odds: Arizona posts an implied probability of 20.16% (+396 odds), ranking ninth nationally for January night-sky viewing.

• High dark-sky coverage: An estimated 92.90% of Arizona’s land area falls within Bortle 1–3 dark-sky zones, supporting strong visibility away from major population centers.

• Excellent moon positioning: The moon reaches an average height of 22.64° above the horizon after moonrise, improving viewing conditions for the Wolf Moon.

• Lower-humidity advantage: Arizona’s average January humidity is 56.21%, supporting clearer skies relative to many higher-humidity states.

• Elevated viewing conditions: With an average elevation of 4,100 feet, Arizona benefits from thinner air that can improve visibility for lunar and meteor events.

Together, these factors make Arizona one of the strongest states in the country for viewing January’s major night-sky events.

A spokesperson from The Action Network commented: “January is one of the best months of the year for night-sky watching, but conditions vary widely depending on location. The Wolf Moon on January 3 is one of the year’s few supermoons, making it a particularly popular target for winter skywatchers, followed immediately by the Quadrantid meteor shower peaking on January 4—one of the strongest meteor displays of the year. Arizona stands out thanks to its high dark-sky coverage, favorable moon positioning, and relatively low winter humidity—creating excellent conditions for enjoying both events.”

Top 10 U.S. States for January Night-Sky Viewing

  1. Alaska
  2. Colorado
  3. Wyoming
  4. Montana
  5. New Mexico
  6. Nevada
  7. Maine
  8. California
  9. Arizona
  10. Utah

The full study, including rankings, implied probabilities, and American-style odds for all 50 states, can be found here:
https://www.actionnetwork.com/entertainment/where-in-america-is-the-supermoon-most-visible