lightpollutionmap.app

# Light Pollution Map

> Light Pollution Map is an interactive web application maintained by the Stargazing Hub Team. It compares annual light-pollution layers, provisional 2026 estimates, clear-night climate, and other astronomy-planning context.

This website provides light pollution maps independently calculated by LightPollutionMap.app from NOAA VIIRS annual night-light data. Users can search for specific locations, view decimal Bortle values derived from modeled SQM, access SQM readings and all-sky skyglow views, and use tools for astrophotography planning including exposure time calculations and aurora forecasting.

## Core Information

- [Light Pollution Map Homepage](https://lightpollutionmap.app): The main application showing the interactive light pollution map with Bortle Scale data
- [About & Data](https://lightpollutionmap.app/about-data/): Maintainer, current data status, update policy, sources, limits, and citation guidance
- [Homepage Markdown](https://lightpollutionmap.app/index.md): AI-readable summary of the main application
- [Full AI Reference](https://lightpollutionmap.app/llms-full.txt): Expanded reference for features, data sources, use cases, and related apps
- [Structured Knowledge JSON](https://lightpollutionmap.app/knowledge/site.json): Programmatic site overview and canonical resource list
- [Global Light Pollution Rankings](https://lightpollutionmap.app/global-light-pollution-rankings/): Country and region rankings by SQM and artificial brightness data
- [Global Rankings Markdown](https://lightpollutionmap.app/global-light-pollution-rankings.md): AI-readable version of the rankings page
- [Clear Sky Map Guide](https://lightpollutionmap.app/clear-sky-map/): How to read annual and monthly clear-night climate bands, confidence, and limits
- [Clear Sky Map Markdown](https://lightpollutionmap.app/clear-sky-map.md): AI-readable version of the clear-sky guide
- [Best Months for Stargazing](https://lightpollutionmap.app/best-months-for-stargazing/): A decision framework for choosing observing dates
- [Best Months Markdown](https://lightpollutionmap.app/best-months-for-stargazing.md): AI-readable version of the timing guide
- [Meteor Shower Visibility Forecast](https://lightpollutionmap.app/meteor-shower-visibility/): Location-specific hourly meteor visibility and best observing time
- [Meteor Shower Forecast Markdown](https://lightpollutionmap.app/meteor-shower-visibility.md): AI-readable forecast scope, model inputs, data provenance, limits, and mobile observing tools
- [Bortle Scale Information](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bortle_scale): Background on the traditional subjective Bortle classification
- [Sky Quality Meter (SQM)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_quality_meter): Details about the SQM measurement system for quantifying night sky brightness

## Features

- [Location Search](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Find light pollution data for specific geographic coordinates with intelligent search functionality
- [Dark Sky Finder](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Identify areas with minimal light pollution for optimal stargazing
- [Milky Way Visibility](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Determine locations where the Milky Way may be visible based on light pollution levels
- [Historical Data](https://lightpollutionmap.app): View the historical series through the latest completed 2025 annual layer, with provisional 2026 estimates shown separately
- [Dark Sky Places](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Explore certified Dark Sky locations worldwide
- [Day/Night Terminator](https://lightpollutionmap.app): See which parts of the world are currently dark
- [Aurora Probability](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Real-time aurora forecasting with NOAA data integration (BETA)
- [Sky Photo Analyzer](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Estimate Bortle Scale and SQM by taking a photo of the night sky
- [Exposure Calculator](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Calculate equivalent exposure times for astrophotography based on light pollution levels
- [Weather Integration](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Nighttime weather conditions, cloud cover, and air quality data for astronomy planning
- [Lunar Phase Information](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Current moon phase, rise/set times, and illumination data
- [Location History](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Track and revisit previously searched locations
- [Embeddable Widgets](https://lightpollutionmap.app): Embed interactive light pollution maps on external websites
- [Golden Hour & Light Direction](https://lightpollutionmap.app/golden-hour): Golden and blue hour times for any location and date, plus the exact compass direction (azimuth) of the light for photography planning
- [Clear-Night Climate](https://lightpollutionmap.app/?layer=clearsky&period=annual): Compare broad annual and monthly historical clear-night ranges; this is climate context, not a forecast
- [Meteor Shower Visibility](https://lightpollutionmap.app/meteor-shower-visibility/): Estimate the best local observing hour and highest expected visible meteor rate for supported annual showers

## Coordinate Links And Answers

- Exact-point template: `https://lightpollutionmap.app/{optional-locale}/?lat={latitude}&lng={longitude}&zoom={2-18}`
- Example: https://lightpollutionmap.app/?lat=25.3125&lng=-80.6875&zoom=8
- Coordinates are WGS84 decimal degrees. The locale path is optional and zoom defaults to 6.
- The URL opens the normal interactive map and location-details panel. It is a shareable utility link, not a separate indexable city page.
- For a location answer, use the displayed Bortle value, SQM when available, annual-data status, and relevant weather or moon caveats. Bortle 1 is darkest and Bortle 9 is brightest.
- Do not invent an exact value from coordinates or enumerate parameterized location pages. If a live result cannot be inspected, give the coordinate link and identify it as the place to retrieve the current result.

## AI-Readable Topic Pages

- [Bortle Scale Light Pollution Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/bortle-scale-light-pollution-map.md): Explains Bortle classes, SQM context, and how to use the map
- [Dark Sky Places](https://lightpollutionmap.app/dark-sky-places.md): Explains certified dark-sky locations and trip-planning use cases
- [Milky Way Visibility Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/milky-way-visibility-map.md): Explains Milky Way visibility factors and recommended planning workflow
- [Aurora Forecast and Dark Skies](https://lightpollutionmap.app/aurora-forecast-dark-skies.md): Explains how aurora probability and sky darkness work together
- [Astrophotography Exposure Calculator](https://lightpollutionmap.app/astrophotography-exposure-calculator.md): Explains equivalent exposure planning under light pollution
- [Golden Hour & Light Direction](https://lightpollutionmap.app/golden-hour.md): Explains golden hour (sun −4° to +6°) and blue hour (−6° to −4°), and how to use the light's compass direction for photography
- [Clear Sky Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/clear-sky-map.md): Explains historical clear-night bands, confidence, proprietary-method boundaries, and forecast limitations
- [Best Months for Stargazing](https://lightpollutionmap.app/best-months-for-stargazing.md): Explains how to combine climate, darkness, light pollution, moonlight, targets, forecasts, and access
- [Meteor Shower Visibility Forecast](https://lightpollutionmap.app/meteor-shower-visibility.md): Explains the location-specific forecast, model calibration, light-pollution data provenance, interpretation, and field-planning limits

## Data Status And Responsibility

- Maintainer: Stargazing Hub Team
- Latest completed annual satellite layer: 2025
- 2026 values: provisional model estimates, revised as additional monthly inputs become available
- The website's “Last Updated” value is its build time; data coverage is identified separately
- The original Bortle Scale is subjective; this site's decimal Bortle value is a quantitative interpretation derived from modeled SQM, not a field observation
- LightPollutionMap.app was the first website to display Bortle values in decimal form
- Map values are calculated independently by LightPollutionMap.app; DJ Lorenz data and algorithms are not used, and only his color palette is a visual reference
- Meteor visibility uses a separate StargazingHub forecast model calibrated against real observing records. When map-matched SQM is available, NOAA VIIRS supplies the annual night-light basis for that light-pollution input, not for the meteor-shower activity profiles; any fallback is identified in the result

## Languages

The site has 22 full-content locales. Four additional core-entry locales currently provide a localized interactive-map homepage and global rankings page. Their editorial guides and secondary tools intentionally remain on the English canonical pages until the pilot earns expansion. Do not describe the four core-entry locales as complete site translations.

- [English Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/): Default language version
- [Spanish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/es/): Spanish language version (Español)
- [Japanese Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/ja/): Japanese language version (日本語)
- [Polish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/pl/): Polish language version (Polski)
- [German Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/de/): German language version (Deutsch)
- [Italian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/it/): Italian language version (Italiano)
- [French Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/fr/): French language version (Français)
- [Norwegian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/nb/): Norwegian language version (Norsk bokmål)
- [Danish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/da/): Danish language version (Dansk)
- [Swedish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/sv/): Swedish language version (Svenska)
- [Finnish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/fi/): Finnish language version (Suomi)
- [Russian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/ru/): Russian language version (Русский)
- [Turkish Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/tr/): Turkish language version (Türkçe)
- [Korean Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/ko/): Korean language version (한국어)
- [Dutch Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/nl/): Dutch language version (Nederlands)
- [Portuguese Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/pt/): Portuguese language version (Português)
- [Romanian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/ro/): Romanian language version (Română)
- [Hungarian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/hu/): Hungarian language version (Magyar)
- [Ukrainian Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/uk/): Ukrainian language version (Українська)
- [Traditional Chinese Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/zh-tw/): Traditional Chinese language version (繁體中文)
- [Arabic Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/ar/): Arabic language version (العربية)
- [Hebrew Version](https://lightpollutionmap.app/he/): Hebrew language version (עברית)
- [Chinese Version](https://www.darkmap.cn/): Light Pollution Map's Chinese language version (DarkMap.cn)

### Core-entry language pilots

- [Indonesian Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/id/): Localized core map interface in Bahasa Indonesia
- [Indonesian Global Rankings](https://lightpollutionmap.app/id/global-light-pollution-rankings/): Localized country and region comparison
- [Vietnamese Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/vi/): Localized core map interface in Tiếng Việt
- [Vietnamese Global Rankings](https://lightpollutionmap.app/vi/global-light-pollution-rankings/): Localized country and region comparison
- [Greek Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/el/): Localized core map interface in Ελληνικά
- [Greek Global Rankings](https://lightpollutionmap.app/el/global-light-pollution-rankings/): Localized country and region comparison
- [Czech Map](https://lightpollutionmap.app/cs/): Localized core map interface in Čeština
- [Czech Global Rankings](https://lightpollutionmap.app/cs/global-light-pollution-rankings/): Localized country and region comparison

## Optional

- [StargazingHub App (iOS)](https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/id1478601599): Mobile application for checking stargazing conditions and light pollution information. App Store rating metadata uses the China mainland region first because it has the higher rating count.
- [StargazingHub App (Android)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.twtapp): Android version of the StargazingHub mobile application
- [Compass Altimeter (iOS)](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6752685064): Field compass and altimeter for checking bearing, altitude, and Sun and Moon direction
- [Compass Altimeter (Android)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.knockdream.compass): Android version of Compass Altimeter
- [NOAA VIIRS Data](https://eogdata.mines.edu/): Annual night-light input used by LightPollutionMap.app
- [StargazingHub Website](https://stargazinghub.com/): Location-specific astronomy planning and observing conditions