Orange Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.33

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

37%

Dataset

May 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Orange: The Practical Verdict

Orange, a town nestled in New South Wales, suffers from high light pollution that substantially affects its night skies. Under such conditions, astronomy quality is notably poor, with the Milky Way completely absent from view. The primary hindrance here is the persistent glow that limits the visibility of deep-sky objects.

From Orange, expect clear views of the Moon, planets, and bright double stars, with occasional success in spotting bright open clusters. However, visual deep-sky observing and broadband galaxies are not practical under the high light pollution. Narrowband imaging is necessary for capturing any nebulae, with careful processing required to tease out detail.

For those seeking clearer skyscapes, heading to Mount Werong, located to the south-east, offers a substantial upgrade. This nearby location provides a darker sky environment suitable for more ambitious deep-sky observations.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor urban/suburban sky - This is a poor sky for astronomy. The Moon, planets, and a few bright objects remain viable, but deep-sky work is difficult.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not realistically visible from this level of light pollution.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing

Do not prioritise

visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, Milky Way photography

Best nearby upgrade

Mount Werong, New South Wales sits about 116 km south east and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 7.7x darker.

Good dark window

Orange's longest dark windows fall in June and July, with the shortest nights around December and January. For deep-sky imaging, winter gives the best combination of long nights and true astronomical darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Orange?

No. Orange is a Bortle Class 7 sky with SQM 19.33, 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 Orange?

Orange is Bortle Class 7 (SQM 19.33), a poor urban/suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Orange good for stargazing?

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

Is Orange good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Orange and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from Orange with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from Orange?

Primary targets from Orange include Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing. Targets such as visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Orange?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Bowenfels, New South Wales, about 95 km east south east of Orange, reaching Bortle 4.

When is the sky darkest in Orange?

The sky over Orange is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Orange getting better or worse?

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

• Mount Werong, New South Wales

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  116.4

  SQM

  21.54

  Bortle

  3

• Bowenfels, New South Wales

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  94.9

  SQM

  20.91

  Bortle

  4

• Wollemi, New South Wales

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  137.5

  SQM

  21.51

  Bortle

  3

• Tirrannaville, New South Wales

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  176.3

  SQM

  21.66

  Bortle

  3