Memphis Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.52

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

19%

Dataset

May 2026

Inner city sky

Memphis: The Practical Verdict

Memphis in Tennessee, one of the major cities in the United States, unfortunately suffers from extreme light pollution. This severe urban sky, measured at Bortle Class 9, hampers most stargazing activities. The primary limiting factor is the bright light dome characteristic of such a large metropolitan area.

Given these conditions, the night sky yields primarily the brightest targets like the Moon, planets, and select stars. While solar system events remain visible, deep-sky objects are best avoided, with the Milky Way completely obscured. Narrowband imaging may be attempted with caution, but expect difficulties with anything beyond the basics.

For those serious about astronomy, heading towards Itawamba County in Mississippi, approximately 175 km to the east-south-east, offers a marked improvement in night sky quality. This site features Bortle Class 4 conditions, providing a far better environment for observing deep-sky objects effectively.

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

Itawamba County, Mississippi sits about 173 km east south east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 22x darker.

Good dark window

Memphis'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 Memphis?

No. Memphis is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.52, 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 Memphis?

Memphis is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.52), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Memphis good for stargazing?

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

Is Memphis good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Memphis?

Primary targets from Memphis 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 Memphis?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Sans Souci, Arkansas, about 49 km north east of Memphis, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Memphis?

The sky over Memphis is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Memphis getting better or worse?

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

• Sans Souci, Arkansas

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  49.3

  SQM

  19.82

  Bortle

  6

• Mecklinburg Drive, Tennessee

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  81.2

  SQM

  20.07

  Bortle

  6

• County Road 751, Arkansas

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  115.2

  SQM

  20.75

  Bortle

  5

• Itawamba County, Mississippi

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  172.9

  SQM

  20.89

  Bortle

  4

• Wayne County, Tennessee

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  220.9

  SQM

  20.82

  Bortle

  4