Curitiba Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.74

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

21%

Dataset

May 2026

Inner city sky

Curitiba: The Practical Verdict

Curitiba, a major city in Paraná, Brazil, poses difficulties for astronomical observation due to its severe urban sky conditions. The overall sky quality is rated as heavily light-polluted, making detailed stargazing challenging. The primary limiting factor is the intense urban light pollution, which completely obscures the Milky Way and most faint targets.

From this location, your best options are observing the Moon, planets, and bright stars, where the high contrast against the sky background still makes them visible. Double stars and narrowband imaging, with some care, are also feasible. However, most deep-sky objects and widefield views, particularly galaxies and nebulae, will be beyond reach due to the overpowering light dome.

For those seeking an improvement in dark-sky quality, Bela Vista in São Paulo, located to the north, offers a much darker sky and is recommended for serious deep-sky observing.

At a Glance

Overall

Severe urban sky - This is a severely light-polluted urban sky. Only the Moon, planets, bright stars, and a few specialist targets remain practical.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not visible from this sky.

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

Bela Vista, São Paulo sits about 225 km north and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 21x darker.

Good dark window

Curitiba'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 Curitiba?

No. Curitiba is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.74, 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 Curitiba?

Curitiba is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.74), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Curitiba good for stargazing?

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

Is Curitiba good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Curitiba?

Primary targets from Curitiba 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 Curitiba?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Araucária, Paraná, about 25 km west south west of Curitiba, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Curitiba?

The sky over Curitiba is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Curitiba getting better or worse?

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

• Araucária, Paraná

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  25.3

  SQM

  19.61

  Bortle

  6

• Morretes, Paraná

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  52

  SQM

  20.01

  Bortle

  6

• Guaratuba, Paraná

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  71.3

  SQM

  20.09

  Bortle

  6

• Tromomô, Paraná

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  91.2

  SQM

  20.49

  Bortle

  5

• Serra do Aboboral, São Paulo

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  163.2

  SQM

  20.76

  Bortle

  5

• Bela Vista, São Paulo

  Direction

  N

  Distance (km)

  225.3

  SQM

  21.04

  Bortle

  4