Lismore Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

19.73

Bortle class

Class 6 (Class 6)

Darkness Quotient

43%

Dataset

April 2026

Bright suburban sky

Lismore: The Practical Verdict

Lismore, situated in New South Wales, offers suburban stargazing conditions with moderate light pollution impacting visibility. The Milky Way is not visible from the town, and faint objects are washed out by the sky brightness.

From its skies, observation is best focused on brighter targets such as the Moon, planets, double stars, and open clusters. Narrowband imaging of emission nebulae can yield results, though broadband astrophotography is hindered by the light pollution gradient. Low-surface-brightness objects remain elusive to both visual and photographic efforts.

For darker skies, the Big Fig Tree site south-east of Lismore is a commendable upgrade. Only about 15 km away, it offers improved conditions with notably darker skies suitable for deep-sky observations and Milky Way views, making the short trip worthwhile for serious astronomy.

At a Glance

Overall

Limited suburban sky - This is a limited sky for astronomy. The brightest targets remain accessible, but faint deep-sky observing is heavily compromised.

Milky Way

Not visible - The sky background is generally too bright for a reliable Milky Way view.

Best targets from here

Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging, bright nebula cores

Do not prioritise

broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, visual faint nebulae, Milky Way photography

Best nearby upgrade

The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales sits about 15 km south east and reaches Bortle 3, roughly 4.9x darker.

Good dark window

Lismore's longest dark windows fall in June and July, with the shortest nights around December and January. For deep-sky imaging, winter gives the best combination of long nights and true astronomical darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Lismore?

No. Lismore is a Bortle Class 6 sky with SQM 19.73, 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 Lismore?

Lismore is Bortle Class 6 (SQM 19.73), a limited suburban sky for astronomy.

Is Lismore good for stargazing?

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

Is Lismore good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is heavily compromised from Lismore and a Bortle 4 or darker site is strongly recommended. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from Lismore with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from Lismore?

Primary targets from Lismore include Moon, planets, double stars, bright open clusters, narrowband imaging. Targets such as broadband galaxies, reflection nebulae, visual faint nebulae are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Lismore?

The closest meaningfully darker mapped site is The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales, about 15 km south east of Lismore, reaching Bortle 3.

When is the sky darkest in Lismore?

The sky over Lismore is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Lismore getting better or worse?

There is not yet enough long-term data to give a confident trend for Lismore.

• The Big Fig Tree, New South Wales

  Direction

  SE

  Distance (km)

  15

  SQM

  21.45

  Bortle

  3

• Eureka, New South Wales

  Direction

  NE

  Distance (km)

  21.4

  SQM

  21.41

  Bortle

  3

• Upper Main Arm, New South Wales

  Direction

  NNE

  Distance (km)

  35

  SQM

  21.31

  Bortle

  3

• Limpinwood, New South Wales

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  55.2

  SQM

  20.96

  Bortle

  4

• Calamia, New South Wales

  Direction

  S

  Distance (km)

  115.1

  SQM

  21.49

  Bortle

  3