Light Pollution Map
A light pollution map and dark sky finder — click anywhere to see the Bortle Scale rating and best nearby stargazing spots.
Light Pollution Intensity (VIIRS satellite data · Classic)
Light Pollution Map FAQ
A light pollution map and dark sky finder — click anywhere to see the Bortle Scale rating and best nearby stargazing spots.
What is this light pollution map and how does it work?
This light pollution map (also called a dark sky map or light map) uses satellite-derived night-light data to show artificial skyglow anywhere on Earth. It works as an interactive light pollution map — click any point on the world light pollution map to see a detailed brightness reading for that exact location, from heavily lit cities down to the darkest rural skies.
What is the Bortle Scale, and how is sky brightness (SQM) measured?
The Bortle Scale (also called bortle class or bortle rating) is a 9-level scale from Bortle 1 (the darkest possible sky, Milky Way clearly visible) to Bortle 9 (inner-city skies where only the brightest stars show). It's built on top of SQM (Sky Quality Meter) readings — a more precise sky quality measurement in magnitudes per square arcsecond. Click anywhere on the map to instantly check what bortle am i in, without needing a physical darkness scale meter.
How do I find dark skies or zero-light-pollution places near me?
Use the map as a dark sky finder or dark site finder to locate the lowest light pollution near me — look for the darkest shading on the map, which marks certified dark sky places, dark sky parks, and other places with no light pollution. True zero light pollution is rare, but Bortle 1–2 areas away from major cities come very close, making them the best spots for genuinely dark, unpolluted skies.
What does the sky look like without light pollution, and how is light pollution measured, caused, and reduced?
Under a truly dark night sky without light pollution, thousands of stars, the Milky Way, and faint nebulae become visible — compare your area's light pollution levels on the map against a Bortle 1 site to see the difference. Light pollution is measured with an SQM or estimated from satellite data (this map's method for how to measure light pollution), and skyglow can travel over 100 km from a city, so how far does light pollution travel matters when picking a site. Common examples of light pollution include streetlights, signage, and unshielded fixtures — together they cause light contamination that raises sky brightness citywide. On a practical level, shielded fixtures and warmer lighting are the main way communities reduce light pollution over time.
How can I use this map for stargazing, Milky Way viewing, and astrophotography?
Use the map as a stargazing map to plan trips: a milky way visibility map reading of Bortle 4 or darker (ideally during a new moon) tells you how to view the milky way clearly. For astrophotography, brighter skies push you toward shorter sub-exposures — check the map's light pollution reading before taking night sky photos to pick a starting exposure time.
Can I check meteor shower or aurora visibility on this map?
Yes — combine the darkness map with a meteor shower forecast to find both a dark viewing spot and the shower's radiant direction. For the northern lights, enable the aurora probability layer to see current visibility odds for your latitude, then cross-reference with the map to avoid local skyglow.
Do you have light pollution maps for specific US states or cities?
Yes — search directly for any location in the map's search bar, from broad regions like light pollution map texas or light pollution map california down to specific cities such as light pollution in nyc or las vegas light pollution, and the map will fly straight to that spot with its Bortle and SQM readings. A dedicated regional browse page is planned for the future.
