Akron Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.81

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

21%

Dataset

April 2026

Inner city sky

Akron: The Practical Verdict

Akron, a mid-sized city in Ohio, presents severe challenges for astronomy due to its intense urban sky brightness. The city's light pollution significantly limits stargazing quality. The brightest targets like the Moon and planets remain the primary viable subjects, as the Milky Way and faint nebulae are completely obscured.

Under Akron's heavily lit skies, observers might focus on solar system events, double stars, and narrowband imaging with careful planning. However, deep-sky targets such as galaxies and reflection nebulae are worsened by the pervasive city glow.

Upgrading to darker nearby sites is possible, albeit with modest gains. Locations like Vermillion Township, about 75 km west-south-west, offer improved conditions under Bortle 5 skies, making them a better option for enhanced stargazing ventures.

At a Glance

Overall

Severe urban sky - This is a severely light-polluted urban sky. Only the Moon, planets, bright stars, and a few specialist targets remain practical.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not visible from this sky.

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

Limited nearby upgrade

Vermillion Township, Ohio is the strongest nearby option but remains Bortle 5; the improvement is real but modest.

Good dark window

Akron'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 Akron?

No. Akron is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.81, 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 Akron?

Akron is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.81), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Akron good for stargazing?

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

Is Akron good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Akron?

Primary targets from Akron 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 Akron?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Lawrence Township, Ohio, about 22 km south of Akron, reaching Bortle 7.

When is the sky darkest in Akron?

The sky over Akron is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Akron getting better or worse?

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

• Lawrence Township, Ohio

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  22

  SQM

  19.44

  Bortle

  7

• Geeburg, Ohio

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  54.6

  SQM

  19.90

  Bortle

  6

• Vermillion Township, Ohio

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  75.5

  SQM

  20.56

  Bortle

  5

• Fairfield Township, Ohio

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  92.6

  SQM

  20.32

  Bortle

  5

• Walhonding, Ohio

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  94.5

  SQM

  20.33

  Bortle

  5

• 407, Ohio

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  92.6

  SQM

  20.06

  Bortle

  6