Pomona Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.81

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

21%

Dataset

April 2026

Inner city sky

Pomona: The Practical Verdict

Pomona is a small city in southern California with suburban surroundings. Its sky is severely affected by urban light pollution, ranking among the highest tiers of brightness. The conditions here make stargazing limited to only the brightest targets.

Expect visible objects to be predominantly the Moon, planets, and bright stars suitable for quick sessions or casual observation. Imaging opportunities are constrained to narrowband filters for bright nebulae, as broadband imaging and faint deep-sky sights are overwhelmed by the sky brightness. Meteors and extended nebulae are effectively off the table.

For those seeking darker skies, Los Angeles County, located roughly 150 km to the south-south-west, offers Bortle 3 conditions and significantly better visual and photographic astronomy improvements. A longer drive, but well worth it for serious observers.

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

Los Angeles County, California sits about 148 km south south west and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 34x darker.

Good dark window

Pomona'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 Pomona?

No. Pomona is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.81, 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 Pomona?

Pomona is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.81), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Pomona good for stargazing?

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

Is Pomona good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Pomona?

Primary targets from Pomona 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 Pomona?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Angeles Crest Highway, California, about 34 km north north west of Pomona, reaching Bortle 6.

When is the sky darkest in Pomona?

The sky over Pomona is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Pomona getting better or worse?

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

• Angeles Crest Highway, California

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  33.8

  SQM

  20.07

  Bortle

  6

• Middle Ranch, California

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  96.8

  SQM

  20.79

  Bortle

  5

• Los Angeles County, California

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  147.5

  SQM

  21.64

  Bortle

  3

• Riverside County, California

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  63.3

  SQM

  19.30

  Bortle

  7

• West Camino Cielo, California

  Direction

  W

  Distance (km)

  201.3

  SQM

  21.31

  Bortle

  3