Ann Arbor Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.21

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

25%

Dataset

May 2026

City sky

Ann Arbor: The Practical Verdict

Ann Arbor is a mid-size city in Michigan with a suburban setting. Stargazing here is limited by high levels of light pollution, with only the brightest objects like the Moon, planets, and a few prominent stars being visible. The Milky Way is completely erased by the urban sky glow.

Observing in Ann Arbor still provides opportunities for viewing double stars, solar system events, and conducting narrowband imaging with care. However, visual deep-sky observing and attempts to view the wide-field Milky Way or faint nebulae will be disappointing. The east-south-east horizon is particularly bright, while the west-south-west offers slightly better conditions.

For a modest improvement in sky conditions, Conway Township, Michigan, to the north-north-west of Ann Arbor, offers somewhat darker skies. However, this upgrade is limited, and the improvements are not dramatic.

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

Limited nearby upgrade

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

Good dark window

Ann Arbor'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 Ann Arbor?

No. Ann Arbor is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.21, 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 Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.21), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Ann Arbor good for stargazing?

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

Is Ann Arbor good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Ann Arbor?

Primary targets from Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Putnam Township, Michigan, about 24 km north west of Ann Arbor, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Ann Arbor?

The sky over Ann Arbor is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Ann Arbor getting better or worse?

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

• Putnam Township, Michigan

  Direction

  NW

  Distance (km)

  24.3

  SQM

  20.17

  Bortle

  6

• Bunker Hill Township, Michigan

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  48.4

  SQM

  20.55

  Bortle

  5

• Brighton Charter Township, Michigan

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  33.1

  SQM

  19.88

  Bortle

  6

• Conway Township, Michigan

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  57.4

  SQM

  20.59

  Bortle

  5

• 71 km SW

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  71.4

  SQM

  20.70

  Bortle

  5

• 69 km SSW

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  68.5

  SQM

  20.41

  Bortle

  5