Addis Ababa Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.25

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

25%

Dataset

July 2026

City sky

Addis Ababa: The Practical Verdict

Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, is a bustling urban centre with a large population of around 5 million. The light pollution here is significant, classifying the city under high light pollution conditions. This limits the quality of astronomical observation severely, with the Milky Way completely washed out from view.

In terms of what can be seen, the sky is best for observing the Moon, planets, and bright stars. Double stars and solar system events also make suitable targets under these conditions. While narrowband imaging is possible with care, deep-sky observations and broadband imaging will be overwhelmed by the sky's brightness. Avoid attempting to view faint nebulae or most meteor showers here.

For those seeking a better sky, heading to Kombolcha in the Amhara Region, about 255 km north-north-east, offers a significantly darker sky, classified as Bortle 2. This location provides an excellent opportunity for serious deep-sky observing.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor city sky - This is a poor city sky. The Milky Way is not visible and most deep-sky observing is unrealistic from the location itself.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is erased by the bright urban sky background.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, bright stars, double stars, solar system events, narrowband imaging only with care

Do not prioritise

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

Best nearby upgrade

Kombolcha, Amhara Region sits about 253 km north north east and reaches Bortle 2, roughly 25x darker.

Good dark window

Addis Ababa retains astronomical darkness throughout the year, so seasonality is less extreme than at higher latitudes. The main limitation is light pollution, not the length of the dark window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Addis Ababa?

No. Addis Ababa is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.25, 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 Addis Ababa?

Addis Ababa is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.25), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Addis Ababa good for stargazing?

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

Is Addis Ababa good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Addis Ababa and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Even narrowband imaging is difficult from Addis Ababa without careful processing.

What can you observe from Addis Ababa?

Primary targets from Addis Ababa include Moon, planets, bright stars, double stars, solar system events. Targets such as visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Addis Ababa?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Kombolcha, Amhara Region, about 253 km north north east of Addis Ababa, reaching Bortle 2.

When is the sky darkest in Addis Ababa?

The sky over Addis Ababa is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Addis Ababa getting better or worse?

The long-term trend for Addis Ababa is gradually worsening, with the sky brightening by about 0.10 SQM per year.

• Kombolcha, Amhara Region

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  252.5

  SQM

  21.75

  Bortle

  2

• West Gojjam, Amhara Region

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  252.5

  SQM

  21.72

  Bortle

  2

• Zone 3, Afar Region

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  259.7

  SQM

  21.49

  Bortle

  3