Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India — Bortle class 8 (VIIRS satellite data, 2025). Estimated sky brightness SQM 18.17 mag/arcsec², naked-eye limiting magnitude ~3.6, radiance 16.71 nW/cm²/sr.
Varanasi has a city sky (Bortle 8). Only the Moon, planets and a few dozen of the brightest stars are visible. Only a few dozen of the brightest stars are visible to the naked eye (limiting magnitude ~3.6).
No — the Milky Way is not visible from Varanasi (Bortle 8 sky). You need to travel to a darker location to see it.
Satellite data shows a Bortle 1 sky (SQM ~22) about 41 km south of Varanasi. Explore the light pollution map to plan a dark-sky trip.
Varanasi has a city sky (Bortle 8). Only the Moon, planets and a few dozen of the brightest stars are visible. The estimated sky brightness is SQM 18.17 mag/arcsec² (VIIRS satellite data, 2025). Only a few dozen of the brightest stars are visible to the naked eye (limiting magnitude ~3.6).
No — the Milky Way is not visible from Varanasi (Bortle 8 sky). You need to travel to a darker location to see it.
Satellite data shows a Bortle 1 sky (SQM ~22) about 41 km south of Varanasi. 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 Varanasi improve the map for everyone.
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