Akron Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.92

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

22%

Dataset

July 2026

Inner city sky

Akron: The Practical Verdict

Akron, located in Ohio, is a mid-size city with a largely urban environment. The astronomical quality here is rated as a severe urban sky, with high light pollution conditions that impair most forms of stargazing. This results in the Milky Way being entirely invisible from this location.

Stargazing from Akron is realistically limited to bright celestial objects such as the Moon, planets, and bright stars. Solar system events and double stars are the most accessible targets, while narrowband imaging requires care. Deep-sky observing, especially of broadband galaxies, faint nebulae, and meteor showers, should be avoided as the light pollution washes out these targets entirely.

For those seeking slightly improved conditions, nearby sites such as Cooperdale, Ohio to the south-south-west offer a modest enhancement. While these incremental upgrades provide some relief, they remain constrained by the same regional light pollution challenges.

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

Cooperdale, 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 17.92, 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 17.92), 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 Fredericksburg, Ohio, about 48 km south south west of Akron, reaching Bortle 6.

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.

• Fredericksburg, Ohio

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  47.6

  SQM

  20.15

  Bortle

  6

• Middlefield Township, Ohio

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  62.4

  SQM

  20.13

  Bortle

  6

• Henrietta Township, Ohio

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  69.6

  SQM

  20.20

  Bortle

  6

• Wayne Township, Ohio

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  73.3

  SQM

  20.23

  Bortle

  6

• Cooperdale, Ohio

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  107.6

  SQM

  20.59

  Bortle

  5

• Mount Gilead, Ohio

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  121.7

  SQM

  20.27

  Bortle

  6