Austin Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

17.56

Bortle class

Class 9 (Class 9)

Darkness Quotient

19%

Dataset

April 2026

Inner city sky

Austin: The Practical Verdict

Austin, a major city in Texas, faces significant light pollution, which severely limits the quality of its night skies. The overall sky quality is characterised as a severe urban sky, offering astronomers few opportunities for deep-sky observation. The brightest areas are to the north north east, whereas the west north west horizon is relatively less impacted but still heavily light-polluted.

Under these conditions, the Milky Way is entirely obscured, and visual observation should focus on bright celestial objects, such as the Moon, planets, and double stars. Efforts in narrowband imaging for the brightest nebulae may yield some results, though extreme care is required to overcome the city's glare.

For those seeking a meaningful improvement in sky quality, travelling to 8973, Texas, west north west of Austin, is advised. At around 225 km away, this location offers measurably darker skies suitable for serious astronomical pursuits.

At a Glance

Overall

Severe urban sky - This is a severely light-polluted urban sky. Only the Moon, planets, bright stars, and a few specialist targets remain practical.

Milky Way

Not visible - The Milky Way is not visible from this sky.

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

Best nearby upgrade

8973, Texas sits about 225 km west north west and reaches Bortle 4, roughly 26x darker.

Good dark window

Austin'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 Austin?

No. Austin is a Bortle Class 9 sky with SQM 17.56, 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 Austin?

Austin is Bortle Class 9 (SQM 17.56), a severe urban sky for astronomy.

Is Austin good for stargazing?

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

Is Austin good for astrophotography?

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

What can you observe from Austin?

Primary targets from Austin 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 Austin?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is Williamson County, Texas, about 63 km west north west of Austin, reaching Bortle 7.

When is the sky darkest in Austin?

The sky over Austin is darkest around January, December.

Is light pollution in Austin getting better or worse?

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

• Williamson County, Texas

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  62.9

  SQM

  19.55

  Bortle

  7

• County Road 272, Texas

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  135.1

  SQM

  19.97

  Bortle

  6

• Old Hickory Grove Road, Texas

  Direction

  ENE

  Distance (km)

  154.2

  SQM

  20.31

  Bortle

  5

• Colorado County, Texas

  Direction

  ESE

  Distance (km)

  149.4

  SQM

  20.12

  Bortle

  6

• Victoria County, Texas

  Direction

  SSE

  Distance (km)

  186.7

  SQM

  20.81

  Bortle

  4

• 8973, Texas

  Direction

  WNW

  Distance (km)

  225.1

  SQM

  21.09

  Bortle

  4