Nanaimo Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.75

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

30%

Dataset

July 2026

City sky

Nanaimo: The Practical Verdict

Nanaimo is a small city in British Columbia with a suburban setting. Unfortunately, the city sky offers poor conditions for stargazing due to high light pollution, categorised as a Bortle Class 8. The overwhelming light obscures the Milky Way entirely, and deep-sky objects are nearly impossible to observe visually.

Observing from Nanaimo is mainly viable for solar system objects and bright stars. The Moon, planets, double stars, and solar system events remain accessible under these urban skies. However, deep-sky imaging is severely limited by the bright sky background, though narrowband imaging can still be done with care.

The best nearby upgrade for darker skies is Area F (Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls), located about 45 km south-west. This site provides significantly darker conditions, falling under Bortle Class 3, and is well worth the drive for serious deep-sky observations.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor city sky - This is a poor city sky. The Milky Way is not visible and most deep-sky observing is unrealistic from the location itself.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is erased by the bright urban sky background.

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

Area F (Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls), British Columbia sits about 44 km south west and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 13x darker.

Moderate dark window

Nanaimo'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 Nanaimo?

No. Nanaimo is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.75, 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 Nanaimo?

Nanaimo is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.75), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Nanaimo good for stargazing?

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

Is Nanaimo good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Nanaimo?

Primary targets from Nanaimo 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 Nanaimo?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Linley Valley, British Columbia, about 5 km west of Nanaimo, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Nanaimo?

The sky over Nanaimo is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Nanaimo getting better or worse?

There is not yet enough long-term data to give a confident trend for Nanaimo.

• Area B (DeCourcy/Gabriola/Mudge), British Columbia

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  13.2

  SQM

  20.82

  Bortle

  4

• Area E (Lasqueti Island), British Columbia

  Direction

  NW

  Distance (km)

  41.2

  SQM

  21.42

  Bortle

  3

• Area F (Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls), British Columbia

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  44.4

  SQM

  21.56

  Bortle

  3

• Area F (Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls), British Columbia

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  46.6

  SQM

  21.43

  Bortle

  3

• Linley Valley, British Columbia

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  5

  SQM

  19.90

  Bortle

  6

• Area A (Bamfield), British Columbia

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  71.2

  SQM

  21.60

  Bortle

  3