Gorino Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

20.71

Bortle class

Class 5 (Class 5)

Darkness Quotient

62%

Dataset

August 2026

Suburban sky

Gorino: The Practical Verdict

Gorino is a small hamlet located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The overall stargazing quality here is compromised but usable, with low light pollution offering a suburban sky experience. The primary challenge for observers is the relatively weak appearance of the Milky Way, which can only be glimpsed faintly under the very best conditions.

Observationally, Gorino skies are best suited for viewing the Moon, planets, and double stars, along with brighter open clusters, globular clusters, and some narrowband nebulae. While you might manage broadband imaging of very bright celestial bodies, this site struggles with targets like faint galaxies and low surface-brightness nebulae.

For those seeking slightly better conditions, Porto Tolle, located about 5 km to the east, offers a minor upgrade. The improvements are marginal, and practical observational conditions will depend more on atmospheric clarity than on escaping map values.

At a Glance

Overall

Compromised but usable - This is a compromised but usable sky. Bright deep-sky objects and some imaging are possible, but contrast is noticeably reduced.

Milky Way

Weak or conditional - The Milky Way is usually weak from this sky and may only appear as a faint suggestion under good conditions.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, globular clusters, narrowband nebulae

Do not prioritise

faint galaxies, reflection nebulae, low surface-brightness nebulae, serious Milky Way photography

No meaningful upgrade nearby

Nearby sites are not notably darker. Local conditions will matter more than chasing a slightly darker map value.

Good dark window

Gorino'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 Gorino?

Conditionally. From Gorino the Milky Way may show as a faint suggestion under transparent, moonless conditions, but it lacks dark-site contrast.

What Bortle class is Gorino?

Gorino is Bortle Class 5 (SQM 20.71), a compromised but usable for astronomy.

Is Gorino good for stargazing?

Partly. Gorino offers a compromised but usable where many bright targets remain accessible, but the faintest deep-sky work is compromised.

Is Gorino good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Gorino?

Primary targets from Gorino include Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, globular clusters. Targets such as faint galaxies, reflection nebulae, low surface-brightness nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Gorino?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Talkenkarl, Salzburg, about 296 km north north east of Gorino, reaching Bortle 3.

When is the sky darkest in Gorino?

The sky over Gorino is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Gorino getting better or worse?

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

• Porto Tolle, Veneto

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  5

  SQM

  21.05

  Bortle

  4

• Talkenkarl, Salzburg

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  295.9

  SQM

  21.32

  Bortle

  3

• Sasso che ride, Emilia-Romagna

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  123.8

  SQM

  20.90

  Bortle

  4