Los Angeles Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

16.95

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

16%

Dataset

April 2026

Inner city sky

Los Angeles: The Practical Verdict

Los Angeles is a prominent global metropolis in southern California, where extreme light pollution greatly limits stargazing opportunities. A severe urban sky like this offers minimal astronomical visibility, with the Milky Way completely obscured.

Despite these limitations, certain targets remain feasible. Observers can focus on the Moon, planets, bright stars, double stars, and straightforward solar system events visible through the local glow. However, visual deep-sky observing is not practical here, and even EAA setups will struggle with the washed-out background.

For enthusiasts willing to travel, vastly improved skies are achievable around Point Bennett Trail, west of the city and about 195 km distant, with conditions reaching Bortle 2 quality. A trip there transforms observing opportunities significantly, making it worthwhile for serious deep-sky astronomy.

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 78 km S, 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.

• 78 km S

  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