Sioux Falls Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.88

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

22%

Dataset

July 2026

Inner city sky

Sioux Falls: The Practical Verdict

Sioux Falls is a small city located in South Dakota. Unfortunately, the city suffers from severe urban sky conditions, resulting in significant light pollution that obscures much of the night sky. The Milky Way is not visible, and deep-sky observation is generally not viable here.

Under the current sky, stargazers will find that the Moon, planets, bright stars, and solar system events offer the best targets. Use of narrowband imaging is possible but requires careful technique to overcome the high light pollution. Areas around the south-south-west horizon will be particularly difficult, while the north-north-east offers the cleanest views.

For those seeking better conditions, Rutland Township, roughly 65 km north-north-west, provides a notable improvement with its Bortle 4 skies. This site offers a more satisfying experience for deep-sky astronomy, making the drive worthwhile 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

Rutland Township, South Dakota sits about 64 km north north west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 19x darker.

Good dark window

Sioux Falls'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 Sioux Falls?

No. Sioux Falls is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.88, 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 Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.88), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Sioux Falls good for stargazing?

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

Is Sioux Falls good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Sioux Falls?

Primary targets from Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Blinsmon Township, South Dakota, about 44 km north north east of Sioux Falls, reaching Bortle 5.

When is the sky darkest in Sioux Falls?

The sky over Sioux Falls is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Sioux Falls getting better or worse?

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

• Blinsmon Township, South Dakota

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  44

  SQM

  20.59

  Bortle

  5

• Rutland Township, South Dakota

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  64.3

  SQM

  21.07

  Bortle

  4

• Gilfillan, Minnesota

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  170.7

  SQM

  20.88

  Bortle

  4