Tasikmalaya Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.03

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

33%

Dataset

July 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Tasikmalaya: The Practical Verdict

Tasikmalaya is a hamlet in West Java, Indonesia, experiencing high levels of light pollution. The sky quality here is poor for urban/suburban stargazing, making it challenging for serious astronomical pursuits. The primary limiting factor is the high light pollution, which obscures many faint celestial targets.

From this location, visual observing should concentrate on targets like the Moon, planets, bright double stars, and open clusters, as these can still be discernible despite the light pollution. Narrowband imaging of bright nebulae is possible but requires careful processing, while the Milky Way and deep-sky objects are largely inaccessible visually.

The best nearby upgrade is towards Bojongkapol, West Java, about 40 to 45 km south-west. This site offers a significantly better observing environment for deep-sky targets.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor urban/suburban sky - This is a poor sky for astronomy. The Moon, planets, and a few bright objects remain viable, but deep-sky work is difficult.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not realistically visible from this level of light pollution.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing

Do not prioritise

visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, Milky Way photography

Best nearby upgrade

Bojongkapol, West Java sits about 42 km south west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 5.6x darker.

Long dark window

Tasikmalaya 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 Tasikmalaya?

No. Tasikmalaya is a Bortle Class 7 sky with SQM 19.03, 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 Tasikmalaya?

Tasikmalaya is Bortle Class 7 (SQM 19.03), a poor urban/suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Tasikmalaya good for stargazing?

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

Is Tasikmalaya good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Tasikmalaya and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from Tasikmalaya with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from Tasikmalaya?

Primary targets from Tasikmalaya include Moon, planets, bright double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging with careful processing. Targets such as visual deep-sky observing, broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Tasikmalaya?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Sukaluyu, West Java, about 18 km west south west of Tasikmalaya, reaching Bortle 5.

When is the sky darkest in Tasikmalaya?

The sky over Tasikmalaya is darkest around May, October.

Is light pollution in Tasikmalaya getting better or worse?

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

• Sukaluyu, West Java

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  18.4

  SQM

  20.38

  Bortle

  5

• Cibatuireng, West Java

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  31.8

  SQM

  20.74

  Bortle

  5

• Kertajaya, West Java

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  35.3

  SQM

  20.81

  Bortle

  4

• Bojongkapol, West Java

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  41.5

  SQM

  20.90

  Bortle

  4

• Wangkelang, West Java

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  32.1

  SQM

  20.27

  Bortle

  6

• Ujungjaya, West Java

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  67.5

  SQM

  20.44

  Bortle

  5