Springfield Stargazing & Astronomy Report
Light pollution and stargazing locations near Springfield
- City
- Springfield
- Country
- United States
- Latitude
- 37.2090
- Longitude
- -93.2923
Key Sky Quality Metrics
- SQM (mag/arcsec²)
- 17.92
- Bortle class
- Class 9 (Class 9)
- Darkness Quotient
- 22%
- Dataset
- May 2026
Inner city sky
Springfield: The Practical Verdict
Springfield, a mid-size city in Missouri, offers a suburban stargazing experience that is intrinsically limited by light pollution. With a severe urban sky characterised by high light pollution, stargazing here struggles significantly under the bright conditions. The Milky Way is not visible at all, which largely limits what is realistically observable.
From Springfield itself, the sky yields the best results when focusing on targets like the Moon, planets, and bright stars. Double stars and solar system events are also viewable, while narrowband imaging requires careful setup. However, visual deep-sky observation and widefield Milky Way pursuits are best avoided due to overpowering light pollution.
For serious observing, travelling to a darker location, such as the site approximately 130 km north-west with Bortle 4 skies, offers a meaningful upgrade. This spot significantly enhances visibility for deep-sky objects, a much-needed relief from Springfield's inner city conditions.
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
- 129 km NW sits about 129 km north west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 17x darker.
- Good dark window
- Springfield'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 Springfield?
No. Springfield is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.92, 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 Springfield?
Springfield is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.92), a severe urban sky for astronomy.
Is Springfield good for stargazing?
Not for serious deep-sky observing. Springfield is a severe urban sky where the Moon, planets, and a handful of bright targets are the realistic options from the city itself.
Is Springfield good for astrophotography?
Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Springfield and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Even narrowband imaging is difficult from Springfield without careful processing.
What can you observe from Springfield?
Primary targets from Springfield 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 Springfield?
The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is County Road 2095, Missouri, about 49 km west of Springfield, reaching Bortle 6.
When is the sky darkest in Springfield?
The sky over Springfield is darkest around January, December.
Is light pollution in Springfield getting better or worse?
Long-term light pollution over Springfield has been broadly stable across the available measurements.
north - good
The north sky is dark to the horizon. Faint targets are accessible at all elevations here.
north-north-east - good
Dark sky in the north-north-east direction with no obvious skyglow. Suitable for faint-object work at low elevation.
north-east - good
Dark sky in the north-east direction with no obvious skyglow. Suitable for faint-object work at low elevation.
east-north-east - fair
Faint glow on the east-north-east horizon. Most stars are visible to low elevation; only the faintest near the ground are affected.
east - good
The east horizon is dark. Faint stars are visible close to the ground.
east-south-east - good
No noticeable light pollution to the east-south-east. The sky in this direction is dark to the horizon.
south-east - good
The south-east horizon is dark. Faint stars are visible close to the ground.
south-south-east - fair
A trace of skyglow near the south-south-east horizon. Stars are clear throughout this direction except very close to the ground.
south - fair
The south sky is broadly dark with a small amount of glow at the horizon. Most objects in this direction are accessible.
south-south-west - good
Dark sky in the south-south-west direction with no obvious skyglow. Suitable for faint-object work at low elevation.
south-west - fair
A trace of skyglow near the south-west horizon. Stars are clear throughout this direction except very close to the ground.
west-south-west - fair
Light glow detectable on the west-south-west horizon. The effect fades quickly with elevation and does not affect overhead work.
west - good
The west sky is dark to the horizon. Faint targets are accessible at all elevations here.
west-north-west - good
The west-north-west sky is dark to the horizon. Faint targets are accessible at all elevations here.
north-west - good
No noticeable light pollution to the north-west. The sky in this direction is dark to the horizon.
north-north-west - good
No noticeable light pollution to the north-north-west. The sky in this direction is dark to the horizon.
zenith - poor
The overhead sky is washed out by artificial light. Constellation patterns are reduced to their brightest members.
-
County Road 2095, Missouri
- Direction
- W
- Distance (km)
- 48.5
- SQM
- 20.15
- Bortle
- 6
-
83 km SSW
- Direction
- SSW
- Distance (km)
- 82.7
- SQM
- 20.32
- Bortle
- 5
-
129 km NW
- Direction
- NW
- Distance (km)
- 128.9
- SQM
- 20.98
- Bortle
- 4
-
Jane, Missouri
- Direction
- SW
- Distance (km)
- 118.4
- SQM
- 20.65
- Bortle
- 5
-
Oregon County, Missouri
- Direction
- ESE
- Distance (km)
- 204.1
- SQM
- 20.94
- Bortle
- 4