Los Angeles Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Light pollution and stargazing locations near Los Angeles

City
Los Angeles
Country
United States
Latitude
34.0522
Longitude
-118.2437

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)
16.95
Bortle class
Class 9 (Class 9)
Darkness Quotient
16%
Dataset
May 2026

Inner city sky

Los Angeles: The Practical Verdict

Los Angeles, an urban metropolis in California, does not offer ideal conditions for stargazing due to extreme light pollution. The severe urban sky, classified under Bortle Class 9, means the Milky Way is not visible and deep-sky objects are out of reach. The tremendous light dome over the city hampers observation of all but the brightest celestial objects.

From this location, the Moon, planets, and bright stars are the most reliable targets. Double stars and solar system events can also be observed, while narrowband imaging might yield acceptable results with caution. Most deep-sky exploration, however, would be unproductive given the pervasive sky brightness.

For significantly darker skies, Point Bennett Trail, California, offers a far superior view. Located about a 195 km drive to the west, this Bortle Class 2 site provides a much less light-polluted environment for serious deep-sky observing.

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
Point Bennett Trail, California sits about 195 km west and reaches Bortle 2, roughly 84x darker.
Good dark window
Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles?

No. Los Angeles is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 16.95, 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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 16.95), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Los Angeles good for stargazing?

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

Is Los Angeles good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Los Angeles?

Primary targets from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Middle Ranch, California, about 78 km south of Los Angeles, reaching Bortle 5.

When is the sky darkest in Los Angeles?

The sky over Los Angeles is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Los Angeles getting better or worse?

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

north - marginal

Noticeable glow on the north horizon. Stars below about 20 degrees in this direction are dimmed.

north-north-east - marginal

The north-north-east lower sky is measurably brighter than the darker quarters. Limit faint work to above about 20 degrees here.

north-east - poor

Heavy light pollution to the north-east. The lower 30 degrees of sky in this direction are unusable for faint targets.

east-north-east - poor

The east-north-east sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.

east - poor

The east horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.

east-south-east - poor

Strong skyglow on the east-south-east horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.

south-east - poor

The south-east horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.

south-south-east - poor

The lower south-south-east sky is heavily light-polluted. Only the brightest stars stand out near the horizon.

south - poor

Heavy light pollution to the south. The lower 30 degrees of sky in this direction are unusable for faint targets.

south-south-west - poor

The south-south-west horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.

south-west - poor

Strong skyglow on the south-west horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.

west-south-west - poor

Heavy light pollution to the west-south-west. The lower 30 degrees of sky in this direction are unusable for faint targets.

west - poor

Strong skyglow on the west horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.

west-north-west - poor

The lower west-north-west sky is heavily light-polluted. Only the brightest stars stand out near the horizon.

north-west - poor

The north-west sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.

north-north-west - poor

Strong skyglow on the north-north-west horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.

zenith - poor

The overhead sky is washed out by artificial light. Constellation patterns are reduced to their brightest members.

  • Middle Ranch, California
    Direction
    S
    Distance (km)
    77.8
    SQM
    20.78
    Bortle
    5
  • Los Angeles County, California
    Direction
    SSW
    Distance (km)
    128.8
    SQM
    21.57
    Bortle
    3
  • Orchard Hills, California
    Direction
    SE
    Distance (km)
    59.1
    SQM
    18.84
    Bortle
    8
  • Santa Barbara County, California
    Direction
    W
    Distance (km)
    145
    SQM
    21.66
    Bortle
    3
  • Point Bennett Trail, California
    Direction
    W
    Distance (km)
    195
    SQM
    21.76
    Bortle
    2
  • Powerline Access Road, California
    Direction
    NW
    Distance (km)
    235.7
    SQM
    20.35
    Bortle
    5