98008 Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.00

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

33%

Dataset

July 2026

Suburban/urban transition

98008: The Practical Verdict

The location 98008, near Seattle in Washington, is part of a suburban setting. The overall quality of the night sky here is poor due to high light pollution. Observing conditions are primarily limited by Seattle's substantial light dome, which is most noticeable to the west.

In this environment, the Milky Way is not visible, and visual observing should focus on the Moon, planets, and bright stars. Efforts could be made towards narrowband imaging for bright nebulae, though broadband galaxies and faint meteors are not viable targets here.

For those seeking more rewarding stargazing experiences, Grays Harbor County in Washington offers a notably darker sky. Located about 115 km west-south-west, this region presents a more favourable Bortle 4 sky for serious deep-sky observing.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor urban/suburban sky - This is a poor sky for astronomy. The Moon, planets, and a few bright objects remain viable, but deep-sky work is difficult.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not realistically visible from this level of light pollution.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing

Do not prioritise

visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, Milky Way photography

Best nearby upgrade

Grays Harbor County, Washington sits about 115 km west south west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 6.7x darker.

Long dark window

98008's longest dark windows fall in December and January, with the shortest nights around June and July. Plan deep-sky sessions around the autumn and winter months for the best combination of long nights and true astronomical darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from 98008?

No. 98008 is a Bortle Class 7 sky with SQM 19.00, so the Milky Way is not visible from the city. For Milky Way photography, look for a Bortle 4 or darker site.

What Bortle class is 98008?

98008 is Bortle Class 7 (SQM 19.00), a poor urban/suburban sky for astronomy.

Is 98008 good for stargazing?

Not for serious deep-sky observing. 98008 is a poor urban/suburban sky where the Moon, planets, and a handful of bright targets are the realistic options from the city itself.

Is 98008 good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from 98008 and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from 98008 with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from 98008?

Primary targets from 98008 include Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing. Targets such as visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near 98008?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is 8500, Washington, about 45 km west south west of 98008, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in 98008?

The sky over 98008 is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in 98008 getting better or worse?

Long-term light pollution over 98008 has been broadly stable across the available measurements.

• 3998, Washington

  Direction

  NW

  Distance (km)

  60

  SQM

  20.71

  Bortle

  5

• 8500, Washington

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  44.9

  SQM

  20.12

  Bortle

  6

• Grays Harbor County, Washington

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  115.1

  SQM

  21.07

  Bortle

  4

• Jefferson County, Washington

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  119.1

  SQM

  20.93

  Bortle

  4

• 216, Washington

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  122.2

  SQM

  20.77

  Bortle

  5