🗺️ Find Dark Skies
Interactive map showing light pollution levels worldwide. Click anywhere on the map to see the estimated Bortle class and sky quality. Darker areas are better for stargazing.
📖 Understanding the Bortle Scale
Zodiacal light visible, Milky Way casts shadows. Extremely rare pristine skies.
Milky Way shows structure, M33 visible. Light domes on horizon. Good for most observing.
Milky Way washed out near horizon. Bright Messier objects still visible with telescope.
Milky Way invisible. M31 barely visible. Limiting magnitude ~5.0.
Sky glows white or orange. Only Moon, planets, and brightest stars visible.
Only Moon and planets visible. Even bright stars hard to see. Inner city conditions.
💡 Tips for Finding Dark Skies
Even 30-50 miles makes a significant difference.
Higher ground puts you above some light pollution and haze.
A full moon washes out faint objects. Plan around new moon.
Designated reserves offer protected dark skies.
Give your eyes 20-30 minutes in darkness. Avoid white lights.
Clear skies with good transparency make a huge difference.