Lima Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.03

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

23%

Dataset

July 2026

City sky

Lima: The Practical Verdict

Lima, a major global city in Peru, faces significant light pollution challenges for stargazers. The sky quality is poor with an overall label of "Poor city sky" indicating high light pollution. The primary limiting factor here is the brightness of the south-south-east horizon.

In Lima, the Milky Way is completely erased by the bright urban sky background. Observers should focus on the Moon, planets, and bright stars. Narrowband imaging can work, but faint deep-sky objects are unsuitable for visual observation. The cleanest view is towards the south-west horizon.

For clearer skies, consider travelling to Huarmey in Ancash, about 215 km north-north-west. It offers a much darker sky for serious deep-sky observing.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor city sky - This is a poor city sky. The Milky Way is not visible and most deep-sky observing is unrealistic from the location itself.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is erased by the bright urban sky background.

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

Huarmey, Ancash sits about 213 km north north west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 19x darker.

Good dark window

Lima retains astronomical darkness throughout the year, so seasonality is less extreme than at higher latitudes. The main limitation is light pollution, not the length of the dark window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Lima?

No. Lima is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.03, 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 Lima?

Lima is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.03), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Lima good for stargazing?

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

Is Lima good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Lima?

Primary targets from Lima 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 Lima?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Caleta Sanitaria, Callao, about 19 km west south west of Lima, reaching Bortle 7.

When is the sky darkest in Lima?

The sky over Lima is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Lima getting better or worse?

There is not yet enough long-term data to give a confident trend for Lima.

• Caleta Sanitaria, Callao

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  18.8

  SQM

  19.43

  Bortle

  7

• Huanchipuquio, Lima

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  37.2

  SQM

  19.97

  Bortle

  6

• Pucusana, Lima

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  52

  SQM

  19.10

  Bortle

  7

• Huarmey, Ancash

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  213

  SQM

  21.24

  Bortle

  4