Banha Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.45

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

27%

Dataset

April 2026

City sky

Banha: The Practical Verdict

Banha, a mid-sized city in Egypt's Al Qalyubiya region, experiences high light pollution due to its dense urban setting. This results in a poor sky quality for astronomical observing, with the Milky Way completely obscured.

From this location, bright celestial objects, such as the Moon, major planets, and bright stars, remain observable. Narrowband imaging can be employed with caution to capture some of the brighter nebulous targets. However, most deep-sky objects and widefield observing are severely hindered by the urban brightness.

A slight improvement in dark-sky quality can be found in the Beheira Governorate, located west-south-west about 95 km away. While this site still does not provide pristine conditions, it represents a meaningful step better for those seeking richer skies.

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

Beheira Governorate is the strongest nearby option but remains Bortle 6; the improvement is real but modest.

Good dark window

Banha'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 Banha?

No. Banha is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.45, 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 Banha?

Banha is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.45), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Banha good for stargazing?

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

Is Banha good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Banha?

Primary targets from Banha 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 Banha?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Ad Dakahliya, about 60 km north east of Banha, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Banha?

The sky over Banha is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Banha getting better or worse?

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

• Ad Dakahliya

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  60.4

  SQM

  19.72

  Bortle

  6

• Kafr El Sheikh

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  72

  SQM

  19.83

  Bortle

  6

• Beheira Governorate

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  96

  SQM

  20.17

  Bortle

  6

• Suez

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  120.4

  SQM

  19.93

  Bortle

  6