Montreal Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.23

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

17%

Dataset

July 2026

Inner city sky

Montreal: The Practical Verdict

Montreal, a major city in Quebec, is dominated by extreme light pollution. The overall quality for astronomy is severely hampered by the urban sky, making it difficult for stargazers to enjoy deep-sky objects. The primary challenge is the dense urban environment and significant light pollution.

Observers here are primarily limited to enjoying the Moon, planets, bright stars, and possibly narrowband imaging of the brightest nebulae with care. The Milky Way is not visible, and visual deep-sky observing is largely unproductive. Finer opportunities can be found with double stars and solar system events, but broadband galaxies and faint nebulae remain out of reach under these conditions.

For better stargazing, consider heading to Dummer, New Hampshire, about 200 km east south-east, which offers a notably darker sky. This nearby upgrade provides more favourable conditions for deep-sky observations.

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

Dummer, New Hampshire sits about 201 km east south east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 40x darker.

Moderate dark window

Montreal'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 Montreal?

No. Montreal is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.23, 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 Montreal?

Montreal is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.23), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Montreal good for stargazing?

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

Is Montreal good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Montreal?

Primary targets from Montreal 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 Montreal?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, Quebec, about 40 km east south east of Montreal, reaching Bortle 7.

When is the sky darkest in Montreal?

The sky over Montreal is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Montreal getting better or worse?

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

• Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, Quebec

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  40.2

  SQM

  19.57

  Bortle

  7

• Contrecœur, Quebec

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  44.8

  SQM

  19.47

  Bortle

  7

• Nepean, Ontario

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  176.9

  SQM

  20.83

  Bortle

  4

• Dummer, New Hampshire

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  200.8

  SQM

  21.23

  Bortle

  4

• Tunbridge, Vermont

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  205.3

  SQM

  20.95

  Bortle

  4

• Town of Russia, New York

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  277.3

  SQM

  21.22

  Bortle

  4