Stargazing guide
Stargazing in Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq
Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq has an estimated Bortle 5–6 sky (mid-sized city). The Milky Way core is highest after dark in April, at about 31°.
How dark the sky is around Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for 30.44°, 47.88°.
Estimated sky glow
Milky Way core
Next New Moon
Dark-sky rating for Abu al-Kahsib
Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq is a mid-sized city (population about 357,771). A place this size typically has a bright suburban sky: main constellations are easy, the Milky Way is washed out. That is an estimate of Bortle class 5–6 from population, not a measurement: the real value depends on the exact spot you observe from.
For a measured reading at any point, open the live Dark Sky map.
Nearest dark-sky places and observatories
No certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry lies within 150 km of Abu al-Kahsib. Our list only includes genuine, publicly documented sites, so none is shown rather than guessed.
Milky Way season in Abu al-Kahsib
The bright core of the Milky Way stays low, so you need a clear southern or northern horizon. It climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, peaking in April at about 31°.
- The north celestial pole stands 30.4° above the horizon, so stars within 30° of it never set from here.
- About 75.3% of the whole sky rises above the horizon at some point in the year from this latitude.
- The Milky Way's core in Sagittarius culminates about 30.6° up, staying low, so a clear southern horizon matters.
- At 10 m elevation, roughly 0% of the atmosphere's mass is already below you, which measurably reduces extinction near the horizon.
Tonight and aurora
As of November 6, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 8% illumination. Aurora at 30.4° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.
Nearby places
Stargazing in Abu al-Kahsib: common questions
Is Abu al-Kahsib a good place for stargazing?
Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq is a mid-sized city, so its typical sky is bright suburban sky: main constellations are easy, the Milky Way is washed out (an estimate of Bortle 5–6 from population, not a measurement). No certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry lies within 150 km, so a dark site means driving away from the city's glow toward the darkest horizon you can reach.
When can you see the Milky Way from Abu al-Kahsib?
From Abu al-Kahsib, Basra, Iraq (30.44°, 47.88°) the Milky Way's bright core climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in March, April, May, June, July, August, September. It peaks in April, reaching about 31°. Moonlight, cloud and city lights still decide what you actually see.
What is the best night this month for stargazing near Abu al-Kahsib?
The darkest nights fall around the New Moon. As of 2026-11-06 the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 8% illumination, and the next New Moon is November 9, 2026 (UTC). Pair it with a clear forecast and a site away from town lights.