Elizabeth Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.30

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

18%

Dataset

August 2026

Inner city sky

Elizabeth: The Practical Verdict

Elizabeth, a small city in New Jersey, faces intense light pollution, categorised under extreme light pollution. The sky is severely bright, with the Milky Way completely obscured and much of visual deep-sky observing inadvisable here.

From this sky, you can reliably observe the Moon, planets, and double stars. Solar system events are the primary targets, while deep-sky enthusiasts will find most nebulae and galaxies elusive or impossible to distinguish. Narrowband imaging may yield some results, but is tricky with the prevalent sky brightness.

For those seeking darker skies, Maplecrest, New York, some 180 km to the north, offers a genuine improvement. This Bortle 4 site provides a more rewarding experience for those willing to travel.

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

Maplecrest, New York sits about 181 km north and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 34x darker.

Good dark window

Elizabeth'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 Elizabeth?

No. Elizabeth is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.30, 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 Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.30), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Elizabeth good for stargazing?

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

Is Elizabeth good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Elizabeth?

Primary targets from Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Mount Lebanon, New Jersey, about 58 km west of Elizabeth, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Elizabeth?

The sky over Elizabeth is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Elizabeth getting better or worse?

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

• Mount Lebanon, New Jersey

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  57.6

  SQM

  19.89

  Bortle

  6

• Village of Montgomery, New York

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  95.7

  SQM

  20.12

  Bortle

  6

• Woodmansie, New Jersey

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  90.3

  SQM

  19.72

  Bortle

  6

• Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  118.4

  SQM

  20.31

  Bortle

  5

• Maplecrest, New York

  Direction

  N

  Distance (km)

  180.8

  SQM

  21.12

  Bortle

  4

• 254 km NW

  Direction

  NW

  Distance (km)

  253.7

  SQM

  21.04

  Bortle

  4