Albany Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.55

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

41%

Dataset

April 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Albany: The Practical Verdict

Albany, located in Western Australia, is characterised by moderate light pollution levels that significantly limit stargazing options. The Milky Way is not visible, and the overall sky quality is rated as poor for urban or suburban astronomy. This site is not ideal for observing faint deep-sky objects.

The conditions here favour observation of bright targets like the Moon, planets, bright double stars, and open clusters. Narrowband imaging with careful processing can yield results for emission nebulae, though broader imaging and visual deep-sky activity should be avoided.

For enhanced stargazing, travelling to Manypeaks, about 25 km to the east-north-east, is recommended. This location offers significantly darker skies with a Bortle 2 classification, ideal for deep-sky observation.

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

Manypeaks, Western Australia sits about 24 km east north east and reaches Bortle 2, roughly 7.3x darker.

Good dark window

Albany's longest dark windows fall in June and July, with the shortest nights around December and January. For deep-sky imaging, winter gives the best combination of long nights and true astronomical darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Albany?

No. Albany is a Bortle Class 7 sky with SQM 19.55, 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 Albany?

Albany is Bortle Class 7 (SQM 19.55), a poor urban/suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Albany good for stargazing?

Not for serious deep-sky observing. Albany 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 Albany good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Albany?

Primary targets from Albany 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 Albany?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Frenchman Bay, Western Australia, about 8 km south south east of Albany, reaching Bortle 3.

When is the sky darkest in Albany?

The sky over Albany is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Albany getting better or worse?

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

• Frenchman Bay, Western Australia

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  8.1

  SQM

  21.36

  Bortle

  3

• Manypeaks, Western Australia

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  24.3

  SQM

  21.71

  Bortle

  2

• Kronkup, Western Australia

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  22.4

  SQM

  21.46

  Bortle

  3

• Lake Muir, Western Australia

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  125.7

  SQM

  21.80

  Bortle

  2

• Scotts Brook, Western Australia

  Direction

  NW

  Distance (km)

  158.5

  SQM

  21.62

  Bortle

  3