Lismore Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.73

Bortle class

Class 6 (Class 6)

Darkness Quotient

43%

Dataset

May 2026

Bright suburban sky

Lismore: The Practical Verdict

Lismore is a small city in New South Wales, Australia, with moderate light pollution situating it firmly in a suburban setting for stargazing. The overall stargazing quality here is limited, with the Milky Way not visible no matter how clear the night. The primary limitation is the sky's brightness, making faint targets challenging.

From Lismore, bright objects like the Moon, planets, and double stars are feasible targets. Bright open clusters are also accessible while using filters can aid narrowband imaging of emission nebulae. However, traditional deep-sky objects like galaxies and faint nebulae are best avoided due to their quick washout by the sky glow.

For more dedicated observing, The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales, offers a darker sky just 15 km to the south-east. This site significantly enhances viewing conditions to Bortle 3, making it a worthwhile drive for those seeking deeper sky observations.

At a Glance

Overall

Limited suburban sky - This is a limited sky for astronomy. The brightest targets remain accessible, but faint deep-sky observing is heavily compromised.

Milky Way

Not visible - The sky background is generally too bright for a reliable Milky Way view.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging, bright nebula cores

Do not prioritise

broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, visual faint nebulae, Milky Way photography

Best nearby upgrade

The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales sits about 15 km south east and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 4.9x darker.

Good dark window

Lismore's longest dark windows fall in June and July, with the shortest nights around December and January. For deep-sky imaging, winter gives the best combination of long nights and true astronomical darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Lismore?

No. Lismore is a Bortle Class 6 sky with SQM 19.73, 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 Lismore?

Lismore is Bortle Class 6 (SQM 19.73), a limited suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Lismore good for stargazing?

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

Is Lismore good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Lismore?

Primary targets from Lismore include Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging. Targets such as broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, visual faint nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Lismore?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales, about 15 km south east of Lismore, reaching Bortle 3.

When is the sky darkest in Lismore?

The sky over Lismore is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Lismore getting better or worse?

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

• The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  15

  SQM

  21.45

  Bortle

  3

• Eureka, New South Wales

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  21.4

  SQM

  21.41

  Bortle

  3

• Upper Main Arm, New South Wales

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  35

  SQM

  21.31

  Bortle

  3

• Limpinwood, New South Wales

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  55.2

  SQM

  20.96

  Bortle

  4

• Calamia, New South Wales

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  115.1

  SQM

  21.49

  Bortle

  3