Blackpool Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.40

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

38%

Dataset

July 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Blackpool: The Practical Verdict

Situated in the Borough of Blackpool, this small city by the coast faces significant light pollution challenges for stargazing. With an overall classification of high light pollution, observational quality is hindered, and the Milky Way is not visible beneath the suburban sky.

For practical observations, focus on the Moon, visible planets, and bright double stars. Narrowband imaging remains feasible for bright emission nebulae, though cautious processing is required. Avoid attempts at broadband galaxies or faint meteor observations given the contamination level.

For those seeking a meaningfully darker experience, Little London, located west north-west, offers a noticeably superior observing environment. It is approximately 110 km away and provides clearer skies that are worthwhile for deep-sky ambitions.

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

Little London sits about 108 km west north west and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 7.7x darker.

Moderate dark window

Blackpool's limiting factor is not only light pollution. Around midsummer, Blackpool loses true astronomical darkness entirely, so deep-sky observing and imaging are strongly seasonal. Plan serious sessions around the darker months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Blackpool?

No. Blackpool is a Bortle Class 7 sky with SQM 19.40, 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 Blackpool?

Blackpool is Bortle Class 7 (SQM 19.40), a poor urban/suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Blackpool good for stargazing?

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

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

What can you observe from Blackpool?

Primary targets from Blackpool 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 Blackpool?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Stonebeck Down, about 85 km east north east of Blackpool, reaching Bortle 5.

When is the sky darkest in Blackpool?

The sky over Blackpool is darkest around January, December. Significant summer limitation: around 80 nights per year have no true astronomical darkness.

Is light pollution in Blackpool getting better or worse?

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

• Holmeswood

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  21.4

  SQM

  20.09

  Bortle

  6

• Mosser

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  87.9

  SQM

  21.23

  Bortle

  4

• Little London

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  107.5

  SQM

  21.61

  Bortle

  3

• Rhosyr

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  113.7

  SQM

  21.47

  Bortle

  3

• Stonebeck Down

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  84.9

  SQM

  20.72

  Bortle

  5

• Thirlwall

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  133

  SQM

  21.12

  Bortle

  4