Lincoln Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.96

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

23%

Dataset

August 2026

Inner city sky

Lincoln: The Practical Verdict

Lincoln, a mid-size city in Nebraska, is affected by significant light pollution due to its urban environment. The skies here are classified as having severe urban sky conditions, offering limited opportunities for stargazing from within the city itself. High light pollution is the primary limiting factor, making stargazing a challenge.

Observable targets in Lincoln are largely confined to bright objects. The Moon, planets, and bright stars remain visible, along with opportunities for narrowband imaging if done with care. However, visual deep-sky observing and viewing broadband galaxies or faint nebulae are not feasible. The Milky Way is completely out of reach from this location.

For those seeking darker skies, Navajo Drive in Kansas, located south-west of Lincoln, offers a substantial upgrade in sky quality. This site is within a reasonable distance and presents a Bortle 3 sky, making it well worth the trip for serious astronomy sessions.

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

Navajo Drive, Kansas sits about 239 km south west and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 22x darker.

Good dark window

Lincoln'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 Lincoln?

No. Lincoln is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.96, 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 Lincoln?

Lincoln is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.96), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Lincoln good for stargazing?

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

Is Lincoln good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Lincoln?

Primary targets from Lincoln 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 Lincoln?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is South 190th Road;606 Avenue, Nebraska, about 48 km south south east of Lincoln, reaching Bortle 4.

When is the sky darkest in Lincoln?

The sky over Lincoln is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Lincoln getting better or worse?

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

• South 190th Road;606 Avenue, Nebraska

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  47.5

  SQM

  21.01

  Bortle

  4

• Falls City, Nebraska

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  123.6

  SQM

  21.19

  Bortle

  4

• County Road F, Nebraska

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  106.1

  SQM

  20.67

  Bortle

  5

• Riley County, Kansas

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  187.6

  SQM

  20.96

  Bortle

  4

• Navajo Drive, Kansas

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  239.4

  SQM

  21.33

  Bortle

  3