Query Light Pollution Levels with Seestar App (Bortle Scale)
To capture stunning astrophotos, you need ideal night sky conditions first. Among various influencing factors, light pollution is one of the biggest challenges for city stargazers. Fortunately, you can easily check local sky darkness in advance with the built-in tool inside Seestar App.
Why Light Pollution Matters for Your Shots
Light pollution from city lights washes out faint nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, making it harder to capture fine details. The darker your sky, the more stars and celestial objects you’ll be able to see — and photograph.
Astronomers use the Bortle Scale to measure sky darkness. A lower number (e.g., Class 1-3) indicates pristine dark skies, perfect for astrophotography. A higher number (e.g., Class 8-9) means severe light pollution.
How to Use the LP Map in Seestar App
The Seestar App comes with a built-in light pollution map that uses the Bortle Scale. Here’s how to use it:
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Open the “Nearby” tab
Launch the Seestar App and tap the Nearby icon in the bottom navigation bar.
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Tap the “LP Map” button
On the right side of the screen, select the LP Map option to open the light pollution overlay.
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Explore the map
- Pan and zoom to view different locations
- Use the search bar to check specific spots (like parks or rural areas)
- The color overlay shows pollution levels: darker colors mean darker skies, while red/bright colors indicate severe light pollution.
Understanding the Bortle Scale in the Seestar App
The Bortle Dark-Sky Scale is a system used to evaluate and describe sky brightness and visibility.
In the Seestar App, sky brightness is divided into nine classes - from heavy light pollution in city centers (Class 9) to extremely dark, remote areas with little to no artificial light (Class 1). Each Class indicates how many celestial objects and details can be seen under those conditions, making it easier to quickly assess stargazing environments.
Below are the nine Classes of the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:
