Montreal Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.37

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

18%

Dataset

August 2026

Inner city sky

Montreal: The Practical Verdict

Montreal, a major city in Quebec, is characterised by its dense urban landscape and significant artificial light interference. Overall, its severe urban sky heavily restricts astronomy potential. This environment limits clear visibility, rendering it challenging for serious stargazing enthusiasts.

The Milky Way is not visible from Montreal, and the urban light severely restricts deep-sky viewing. Observing is best centred on the Moon, planets, and bright double stars. While narrowband imaging might capture the brightest nebulae, broader deep-sky targets, especially galaxies, are largely out of reach. The west-north-west horizon is notably the brightest due to nearby light sources.

For significantly improved stargazing, consider travelling to Grafton Township, Maine, located about 225 km east-south-east. This site offers a much darker Bortle 4 sky, more suited for deep-sky observation and astrophotography.

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

Grafton Township, Maine sits about 225 km east south east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 33x 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 17.37, 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 17.37), 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 Saint-Jude, Quebec, about 53 km east north east of Montreal, reaching Bortle 6.

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.

• Saint-Jude, Quebec

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  53.3

  SQM

  19.88

  Bortle

  6

• Roxton Pond, Quebec

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  67.1

  SQM

  19.90

  Bortle

  6

• Bécancour, Quebec

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  136.2

  SQM

  20.71

  Bortle

  5

• Washington, Vermont

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  185.4

  SQM

  21.12

  Bortle

  4

• Grafton Township, Maine

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  225.2

  SQM

  21.18

  Bortle

  4