Pedangkamulyan Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

21.31

Bortle class

Class 3 (Class 3)

Darkness Quotient

78%

Dataset

May 2026

Rural sky

Pedangkamulyan: The Practical Verdict

Pedangkamulyan in West Java is a remote dark site with a strong rural sky that is ideal for stargazing. Overall, it provides a very dark environment suitable for a range of astronomical observations. The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights, although a faint glow on the east-north-east horizon might slightly reduce contrast.

From here, one can see the Milky Way, bright and moderate galaxies, emission nebulae, globular and open clusters, meteor showers, and it is a good location for broadband imaging. However, the weakest broadband targets are best avoided when transparency is poor or the moon is bright, and faint reflection nebulae or very low surface-brightness galaxies might require more effort and ideal conditions.

This location is already among the darker ones available and offers excellent conditions from within. There is no pressing need to seek darker skies in the immediate area.

At a Glance

Overall

Strong rural sky - This is a strong rural sky with good deep-sky potential, although some horizon glow may still be visible.

Milky Way

Visible - The Milky Way should be visible on clear, moonless nights, although horizon glow may reduce contrast.

Best targets from here

Milky Way, bright and moderate galaxies, emission nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters, meteor showers

Do not prioritise

weakest broadband targets during poor transparency or moonlight

Already a strong sky

Pedangkamulyan is already a strong astronomy location. There is no obvious reason to travel for a darker sky.

Good dark window

Pedangkamulyan retains astronomical darkness throughout the year, so seasonality is less extreme than at higher latitudes. The main limitation is light pollution, not the length of the dark window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Pedangkamulyan?

Yes. The Milky Way is visible from Pedangkamulyan on clear, moonless nights, although horizon glow may reduce contrast.

What Bortle class is Pedangkamulyan?

Pedangkamulyan is Bortle Class 3 (SQM 21.31), a strong rural sky for astronomy.

Is Pedangkamulyan good for stargazing?

Yes. Pedangkamulyan is a strong rural sky and supports serious stargazing including deep-sky observing.

Is Pedangkamulyan good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is realistic from Pedangkamulyan. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from Pedangkamulyan with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from Pedangkamulyan?

Primary targets from Pedangkamulyan include Milky Way, bright and moderate galaxies, emission nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters. Targets such as weakest broadband targets during poor transparency or moonlight are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Pedangkamulyan?

No meaningfully darker mapped site was found within the search radius around Pedangkamulyan.

When is the sky darkest in Pedangkamulyan?

The sky over Pedangkamulyan is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Pedangkamulyan getting better or worse?

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

• Sagara, West Java

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  12.5

  SQM

  21.58

  Bortle

  3

• Darawati, West Java

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  15.1

  SQM

  21.44

  Bortle

  3

• Pancawangi, West Java

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  35.7

  SQM

  21.45

  Bortle

  3