Alexandria Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

18.07

Bortle class

Class 8 (Class 8)

Darkness Quotient

24%

Dataset

April 2026

City sky

Alexandria: The Practical Verdict

Alexandria is a major coastal city in Egypt with significant light pollution from its dense urban setting. The overall sky quality is rated as poor due to the city's brightness, making it difficult to observe most deep-sky objects.

From this location, the Milky Way is completely invisible against the urban glow, and visual deep-sky targets are essentially out of reach. Observing is best focussed on the Moon, planets, bright stars, and double stars, while imaging should stick to narrowband techniques.

For a modest improvement in sky conditions within reach, Al Bothour 8 in the Beheira Governorate, approximately south-south-east, offers Bortle 6 skies and slightly reduced light pollution. While not a dramatic upgrade, this nearby area can reduce difficulties faced in Alexandria's skies.

At a Glance

Overall

Poor city sky - This is a poor city sky. The Milky Way is not visible and most deep-sky observing is unrealistic from the location itself.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is erased by the bright urban sky background.

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

Limited nearby upgrade

Al Bothour 8, Beheira Governorate is the strongest nearby option but remains Bortle 6; the improvement is real but modest.

Good dark window

Alexandria'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 Alexandria?

No. Alexandria is a Bortle Class 8 sky with SQM 18.07, 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 Alexandria?

Alexandria is Bortle Class 8 (SQM 18.07), a poor city sky for astronomy.

Is Alexandria good for stargazing?

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

Is Alexandria good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Alexandria and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Even narrowband imaging is difficult from Alexandria without careful processing.

What can you observe from Alexandria?

Primary targets from Alexandria 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 Alexandria?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is 16, Alexandria, about 51 km south south west of Alexandria, reaching Bortle 7.

When is the sky darkest in Alexandria?

The sky over Alexandria is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Alexandria getting better or worse?

Long-term light pollution over Alexandria has been broadly stable across the available measurements.

• Al Bothour 8, Beheira Governorate

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  51.7

  SQM

  19.86

  Bortle

  6

• Kafr El Sheikh

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  65.2

  SQM

  20.07

  Bortle

  6

• 16, Alexandria

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  50.9

  SQM

  19.53

  Bortle

  7

• Miami, Alexandria

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  10.2

  SQM

  18.52

  Bortle

  8

• Kafr El Sheikh

  Direction

  E

  Distance (km)

  102.2

  SQM

  19.98

  Bortle

  6