Springfield Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.96

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

23%

Dataset

August 2026

Inner city sky

Springfield: The Practical Verdict

Springfield, a mid-size city in Missouri, is characterised by substantial light pollution, making it challenging for stargazers. The overall quality of the night sky is severely compromised, classified as a severe urban sky. The primary limiting factor remains the high light pollution which completely obscures the Milky Way.

From this urban environment, focus on observing the Moon, planets, and bright stars, as these are the most rewarding under such light conditions. Double stars and solar system events are also reasonable targets. However, visual deep-sky observing and detecting the widefield Milky Way are not possible here, needing much darker skies.

For a marked improvement, a trip to Benton County Southwest 1590, Missouri, about 100 km north-north-west, offers a meaningful upgrade with an SQM of 21.18 and a Bortle 4 classification. This location provides a significant escape from the city's light pollution.

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

Benton County Southwest 1590, Missouri sits about 102 km north north west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 19x 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 17.96, 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 17.96), 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 North Farm Road 151, Missouri, about 9 km south of Springfield, reaching Bortle 7.

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 Farm Road 151, Missouri

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  9

  SQM

  19.57

  Bortle

  7

• Snow Berry Drive, Missouri

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  86

  SQM

  20.85

  Bortle

  4

• Benton County Southwest 1590, Missouri

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  102.4

  SQM

  21.18

  Bortle

  4

• East State Highway 90, Missouri

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  104.9

  SQM

  20.52

  Bortle

  5

• Hudson, Missouri

  Direction

  NNW

  Distance (km)

  131.5

  SQM

  20.85

  Bortle

  4