New York Stargazing & Astronomy Report
Light pollution and stargazing locations near New York
- City
- New York
- Country
- United States
- Latitude
- 40.7128
- Longitude
- -74.0060
Key Sky Quality Metrics
- SQM (mag/arcsec²)
- 16.61
- Bortle class
- Class 9 (Class 9)
- Darkness Quotient
- 14%
- Dataset
- April 2026
Inner city sky
New York: The Practical Verdict
New York is a severe urban sky for astronomy. The useful observing list is narrow: Moon, planets, bright stars, double stars, solar system events.
The Milky Way is not visible from this sky, and most constellations are reduced to their brightest marker stars. Targets such as visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae are not realistic from the location itself.
For deep-sky observing or broadband imaging, the priority is to leave the local light dome. The closest meaningful escape is Creamton, Pennsylvania, about 157 km north west, reaching Bortle 5.
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
- Limited nearby upgrade
- Creamton, Pennsylvania is the strongest nearby option but remains Bortle 5; the improvement is real but modest.
- Good dark window
- New York'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 New York?
No. New York is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 16.61, 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 New York?
New York is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 16.61), a severe urban sky for astronomy.
Is New York good for stargazing?
Not for serious deep-sky observing. New York is a severe urban sky where the Moon, planets, and a handful of bright targets are the realistic options from the city itself.
Is New York good for astrophotography?
Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from New York and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Even narrowband imaging is difficult from New York without careful processing.
What can you observe from New York?
Primary targets from New York 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 New York?
The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania, about 100 km west of New York, reaching Bortle 6.
When is the sky darkest in New York?
The sky over New York is darkest around January, December.
Is light pollution in New York getting better or worse?
Long-term light pollution over New York has been broadly stable across the available measurements.
north - poor
The lower north sky is heavily light-polluted. Only the brightest stars stand out near the horizon.
north-north-east - poor
The north-north-east sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.
north-east - poor
The lower north-east sky is heavily light-polluted. Only the brightest stars stand out near the horizon.
east-north-east - poor
The east-north-east horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.
east - poor
The east horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.
east-south-east - poor
The east-south-east sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.
south-east - marginal
Soft skyglow visible on the south-east horizon. Mid-brightness stars survive at low elevation; the faintest do not.
south-south-east - poor
Heavy light pollution to the south-south-east. The lower 30 degrees of sky in this direction are unusable for faint targets.
south - marginal
The south lower sky is measurably brighter than the darker quarters. Limit faint work to above about 20 degrees here.
south-south-west - marginal
A diffuse glow sits on the south-south-west horizon. Faint objects below 20 degrees in this direction are compromised.
south-west - poor
The south-west sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.
west-south-west - poor
Strong skyglow on the west-south-west horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.
west - poor
Strong skyglow on the west horizon. Stars below about 30 degrees in this direction are largely lost.
west-north-west - poor
The west-north-west sky is washed out near the horizon. Most constellation stars in the lower sky here are not visible.
north-west - poor
The north-west horizon shows a strong orange-white glow. Star counts drop sharply below about 25 degrees here.
north-north-west - poor
The lower north-north-west sky is heavily light-polluted. Only the brightest stars stand out near the horizon.
zenith - poor
The zenith sky background is high. Most faint stars are absent and the Milky Way cannot be seen.
-
Bethpage, New York
- Direction
- E
- Distance (km)
- 44
- SQM
- 18.81
- Bortle
- 8
-
Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania
- Direction
- W
- Distance (km)
- 100.2
- SQM
- 19.85
- Bortle
- 6
-
Woodland Township, New Jersey
- Direction
- SSW
- Distance (km)
- 103
- SQM
- 19.41
- Bortle
- 7
-
Creamton, Pennsylvania
- Direction
- NW
- Distance (km)
- 157.1
- SQM
- 20.64
- Bortle
- 5
-
Exeter, Connecticut
- Direction
- ENE
- Distance (km)
- 179.8
- SQM
- 20.01
- Bortle
- 6
-
Dexter Corner Road, Delaware
- Direction
- SW
- Distance (km)
- 211.2
- SQM
- 20.32
- Bortle
- 5