Jackson Stargazing & Astronomy Report
Light pollution and stargazing locations near Jackson
- City
- Jackson
- Country
- United States
- Latitude
- 32.2988
- Longitude
- -90.1848
Key Sky Quality Metrics
- SQM (mag/arcsec²)
- 17.63
- Bortle class
- Class 9 (Class 9)
- Darkness Quotient
- 20%
- Dataset
- May 2026
Inner city sky
Jackson: The Practical Verdict
Jackson is a mid-size city located in the state of Mississippi, characterised by dense urban development. The city suffers from extreme light pollution, casting a severe urban sky over your stargazing attempts. As a result, astronomical observations are heavily constrained by this bright environment, making Jackson a less than ideal location for observing the deep night sky.
Under Jackson's glaring lights, the Milky Way is completely obscured, and visual observing should focus on more prominent and less affected targets such as the Moon, planets, bright stars, and double stars. Narrowband imaging might still be possible, but broadband observations will be overtaken by the pervasive sky glow. Visual deep-sky observing and most meteor viewing remain challenging here.
For those seeking an upgrade in sky quality, Leake County, Mississippi, located about 95 km to the north-east, presents a substantially darker alternative with clearer skies. It's worth the effort for serious telescopic observing, if you're willing to make the trip.
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
- Leake County, Mississippi sits about 96 km north east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 20x darker.
- Good dark window
- Jackson'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 Jackson?
No. Jackson is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.63, 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 Jackson?
Jackson is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.63), a severe urban sky for astronomy.
Is Jackson good for stargazing?
Not for serious deep-sky observing. Jackson is a severe urban sky where the Moon, planets, and a handful of bright targets are the realistic options from the city itself.
Is Jackson good for astrophotography?
Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Jackson and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Even narrowband imaging is difficult from Jackson without careful processing.
What can you observe from Jackson?
Primary targets from Jackson 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 Jackson?
The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Madison County, Mississippi, about 13 km west of Jackson, reaching Bortle 7.
When is the sky darkest in Jackson?
The sky over Jackson is darkest around January, December.
Is light pollution in Jackson getting better or worse?
Long-term light pollution over Jackson has been broadly stable across the available measurements.
north - fair
The north sky is broadly dark with a small amount of glow at the horizon. Most objects in this direction are accessible.
north-north-east - marginal
The north-north-east sky shows a clear glow near the ground. Above about 20 degrees the sky returns to workable.
north-east - fair
Light glow detectable on the north-east horizon. The effect fades quickly with elevation and does not affect overhead work.
east-north-east - fair
Faint glow on the east-north-east horizon. Most stars are visible to low elevation; only the faintest near the ground are affected.
east - fair
Faint glow on the east horizon. Most stars are visible to low elevation; only the faintest near the ground are affected.
east-south-east - fair
A trace of skyglow near the east-south-east horizon. Stars are clear throughout this direction except very close to the ground.
south-east - good
Dark sky in the south-east direction with no obvious skyglow. Suitable for faint-object work at low elevation.
south-south-east - fair
The south-south-east sky is broadly dark with a small amount of glow at the horizon. Most objects in this direction are accessible.
south - good
No noticeable light pollution to the south. The sky in this direction is dark to the horizon.
south-south-west - fair
A faint diffuse glow on the south-south-west horizon. Stars are visible to low elevation, with minor losses near the ground.
south-west - fair
A faint diffuse glow on the south-west horizon. Stars are visible to low elevation, with minor losses near the ground.
west-south-west - good
Dark horizon to the west-south-west. Faint stars and extended objects in this direction behave much as they do overhead.
west - fair
A trace of skyglow near the west horizon. Stars are clear throughout this direction except very close to the ground.
west-north-west - fair
A trace of skyglow near the west-north-west horizon. Stars are clear throughout this direction except very close to the ground.
north-west - good
The north-west horizon is dark. Faint stars are visible close to the ground.
north-north-west - good
Dark horizon to the north-north-west. Faint stars and extended objects in this direction behave much as they do overhead.
zenith - poor
The zenith sky is bright. The Milky Way is absent and most constellation stars are not visible.
-
Madison County, Mississippi
- Direction
- W
- Distance (km)
- 12.7
- SQM
- 19.20
- Bortle
- 7
-
Turnetta, Mississippi
- Direction
- NNE
- Distance (km)
- 41.6
- SQM
- 19.81
- Bortle
- 6
-
Leake County, Mississippi
- Direction
- NE
- Distance (km)
- 95.8
- SQM
- 20.89
- Bortle
- 4
-
Busby Cemetery, Mississippi
- Direction
- S
- Distance (km)
- 111.8
- SQM
- 20.73
- Bortle
- 5
-
9, Mississippi
- Direction
- SSE
- Distance (km)
- 140.6
- SQM
- 20.83
- Bortle
- 4
-
Selma Loop, Louisiana
- Direction
- WSW
- Distance (km)
- 216.7
- SQM
- 20.85
- Bortle
- 4