Tasikmalaya Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.15

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

35%

Dataset

August 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Tasikmalaya: The Practical Verdict

Tasikmalaya, situated in West Java, is a town with a high level of light pollution. The overall astronomy quality here is poor, characterised mainly by a sky that falls into the urban/suburban transition. The most significant constraint is the brightness of the eastern horizon, making it difficult to observe fainter celestial objects.

While the Milky Way is not visible, brighter targets such as the Moon, planets, bright double stars, and open clusters are still accessible. For those interested in imaging, narrowband processing with care can yield reasonable results. However, visual deep-sky observing and broadband galaxy photography should be avoided due to the prevalent light pollution.

For those seeking improved conditions, Cogreg, West Java, offers a worthwhile alternative. Situated about 35 km to the south-south-east, it provides a meaningfully darker sky with a Bortle 4 classification, making it suitable for more demanding astronomical pursuits.

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

Cogreg, West Java sits about 33 km south south east and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 4.9x 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 19.15, 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 19.15), 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 Sadewata, West Java, about 26 km north north east 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?

The long-term trend for Tasikmalaya is gradually worsening, with the sky brightening by about 0.05 SQM per year.

• Cogreg, West Java

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  33.4

  SQM

  20.87

  Bortle

  4

• Peundeuy, West Java

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  39.6

  SQM

  20.87

  Bortle

  4

• Sadewata, West Java

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  25.6

  SQM

  20.42

  Bortle

  5

• Bojongsari, West Java

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  39.2

  SQM

  20.78

  Bortle

  5

• Ciparingga, West Java

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  38.1

  SQM

  20.59

  Bortle

  5

• Pinara, West Java

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  42.4

  SQM

  20.33

  Bortle

  5