Aurora Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.42

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

27%

Dataset

August 2026

City sky

Aurora: The Practical Verdict

Aurora is a small city in Illinois, set in a suburban environment with a substantial light dome. Stargazing is quite limited here due to high light pollution, classified as a Bortle 8 sky. As a result, deep-sky astronomy is virtually impossible from within the city limits, with the Milky Way completely absent.

For those in Aurora, the best targets are largely confined to bright celestial objects like the Moon, planets, and double stars. Narrowband imaging can still be attempted with care, though the pervasive skyglow will prove challenging for most deep-sky pursuits. Visual deep-sky observing should be avoided, along with any broadband deep-sky imaging.

For a more rewarding experience under darker skies, consider travelling to Michigan, located approximately 140 km north-east of Aurora, which offers significantly less light pollution. This site provides a far better setting for deep-sky observations and is well worth the effort for dedicated astronomers.

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

Michigan sits about 138 km north east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 11x darker.

Good dark window

Aurora'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 Aurora?

No. Aurora is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.42, 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 Aurora?

Aurora is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.42), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Aurora good for stargazing?

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

Is Aurora good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Aurora?

Primary targets from Aurora 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 Aurora?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Sheridan, Illinois, about 38 km south west of Aurora, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Aurora?

The sky over Aurora is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Aurora getting better or worse?

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

• Sheridan, Illinois

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  37.9

  SQM

  19.89

  Bortle

  6

• Hampshire, Illinois

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  38.3

  SQM

  19.64

  Bortle

  6

• Michigan

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  137.8

  SQM

  21.01

  Bortle

  4

• Glendora, Michigan

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  155

  SQM

  20.58

  Bortle

  5

• Town of Farmington, Wisconsin

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  145.2

  SQM

  20.31

  Bortle

  5