Tasikmalaya Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.26

Bortle class

Class 7 (Class 7)

Darkness Quotient

36%

Dataset

April 2026

Suburban/urban transition

Tasikmalaya: The Practical Verdict

Tasikmalaya, a small settlement located in West Java, has limited stargazing potential due to significant light pollution at its urban and suburban levels. The sky quality here falls under High Light Pollution, and the Milky Way is entirely absent from view. Observing is primarily hampered by scattered urban light sources, particularly towards the east horizon.

From Tasikmalaya, the best objects to view are bright and prominent targets such as the Moon, planets, double stars, and richer open clusters. Advanced imaging setups might achieve results with narrowband filters but broadband deep-sky imaging is discouraged. Faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae remain unreachable visually.

For enthusiasts seeking darker skies, a drive south to nearby sites offering Bortle 4 conditions and an SQM of 20.86 provides a much-improved observational environment. These locations are within a short drive and are significantly better for deep-sky observing.

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

Tasikmalaya, West Java sits about 38 km south and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 4.4x darker.

Good 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 19.26, 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 19.26), 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 Kertajaya, West Java, about 36 km south south east of Tasikmalaya, reaching Bortle 4.

When is the sky darkest in Tasikmalaya?

The sky over Tasikmalaya is darkest around June, July.

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.

• Tasikmalaya, West Java

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  37.8

  SQM

  20.86

  Bortle

  4

• Kertajaya, West Java

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  36.1

  SQM

  20.80

  Bortle

  4

• Wandasari, West Java

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  40.3

  SQM

  20.86

  Bortle

  4

• Pamarican, West Java

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  39.8

  SQM

  20.54

  Bortle

  5

• Sangiang, West Java

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  42.5

  SQM

  20.29

  Bortle

  6

• Jayabaru, Central Java

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  57.4

  SQM

  20.42

  Bortle

  5