Find dark skies.See more stars.
Find dark places near you, compare estimated Bortle levels and plan when to see the Milky Way. Noctis brings light pollution maps and night-sky planning to your iPhone.
Find dark skies on the map.
Open full mapExplore 2025 satellite light data. Zoom in to see the light around towns and darker places beyond them.
Light pollution readings appear here.
Check the Moon & Milky Way in NoctisHatched areas: no data
Map loads when you reach this section.
Coordinates and data information
NASA Black Marble VNP46A4, 2025 annual composite. 58 regional datasets. The overview uses 2 arc-minute averages; zooming in reveals original 15 arc-second cells (about 460 m north–south). Detailed readings show the radiance range of each cell’s estimated class, rather than an averaged point value. Bortle classes are Noctis estimates from upward radiance, not ground measurements or a live forecast. Regional coverage is not worldwide. The map is for comparing sky conditions, not road navigation.
NASA data source · How to read the map
NoctisFound a dark sky?
Plan the whole night.
Go further with Noctis. Check the Moon, find the best time to see the Milky Way and discover destinations for your next stargazing trip.
Get Noctis for iPhone
Find dark sky locations.
Plan your Milky Way trip.
Use the light pollution map to find stargazing spots, check when to see the Milky Way and discover destinations for your next dark sky trip.
Swipe across the app screen, or tap to open it.
Find dark places near you. Compare light pollution and estimated Bortle levels to choose a stargazing location.
Stargazing guides.
Practical stargazing guides, from choosing a nearby spot to planning a night under the Milky Way.
Where can I find dark skies near me?
Build a shortlist of stargazing spots, then check the details that a map can’t show.
Read guideWhat does a Bortle map tell you?
Understand light pollution, estimated sky darkness and how to compare locations.
Read guideWhen and where can I see the Milky Way?
Bring the location, Moon and observing window together before you head out.
Read guideDark sky tourism: plan a stargazing trip.
Choose a dark-sky destination and check the Moon, weather and access before travelling.
Read guideStargazing questions.
Contact supportHow do I find the darkest place near me?
Start with the light pollution map in Noctis and compare locations within the distance you want to travel. Use estimated Bortle levels to shortlist darker areas, then check access, local lights, the Moon and weather before choosing a spot.
Can I use the light pollution map online?
You can explore the light pollution map here on the website. Noctis for iOS adds the Milky Way planner, Moon conditions and destination tools for planning your trip.
Do I need a telescope?
No. Noctis helps you choose where and when to look up, whether you’re exploring with your eyes, a camera or a telescope.
What does the light pollution map show?
The map uses satellite-based nighttime light data to help compare locations. Bortle values are estimates, not measurements of the sky above you. Coverage varies by region; you can check Data & coverage in the app.
Can I use Noctis offline?
The bundled light pollution data and on-device astronomy calculations work offline. Weather updates and some map and destination content need an internet connection.
Will I definitely see the Milky Way?
Visibility depends on your location, the season, Moon, clouds and local conditions. Noctis helps you plan around those factors; no app can guarantee a clear sky.