Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India — Bortle class 1 (VIIRS satellite data, 2025). Estimated sky brightness SQM 22 mag/arcsec², naked-eye limiting magnitude ~5.5, radiance 0.26 nW/cm²/sr.
Manali has an exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1). The Milky Way casts visible shadows and thousands of stars fill the night. Roughly 500–1,000 stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear night (limiting magnitude ~5.5).
Yes — the Milky Way is visible from Manali on clear, moonless nights (Bortle 1 sky).
Satellite data shows a Bortle 4 sky (SQM ~21.63) about 4 km west of Manali. Explore the light pollution map to plan a dark-sky trip.
Manali has an exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1). The Milky Way casts visible shadows and thousands of stars fill the night. The estimated sky brightness is SQM 22 mag/arcsec² (VIIRS satellite data, 2025). Roughly 500–1,000 stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear night (limiting magnitude ~5.5).
Yes — the Milky Way is visible from Manali on clear, moonless nights (Bortle 1 sky).
Satellite data shows a Bortle 4 sky (SQM ~21.63) about 4 km west of Manali. Check the SkyQI light pollution map to plan a route and find nearby community readings.
Photograph the night sky with the free SkyQI app (iOS and Android) or upload a photo at skyqi.in. You get an instant SQM value and Bortle class for your exact location — satellite estimates can understate the skyglow you actually see from the ground, so real measurements from Manali improve the map for everyone.
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