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Stargazing guide

Stargazing in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan

Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan has an estimated Bortle 5–6 sky (mid-sized city). The Milky Way core is highest after dark in April, at about 36°.

How dark the sky is around Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for 24.80°, 120.97°.

Estimated sky glow

Bortle 5–6
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Milky Way core

April
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Next New Moon

November 9, 2026
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Dark-sky rating for Hsinchu

Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan is a mid-sized city (population about 453,536). 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 Hsinchu. Our list only includes genuine, publicly documented sites, so none is shown rather than guessed.

Milky Way season in Hsinchu

The bright core of the Milky Way climbs high above the horizon haze. It climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, peaking in April at about 36°.

  • The north celestial pole stands 24.8° above the horizon, so stars within 25° of it never set from here.
  • About 71% 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 36.2° up, clearing the horizon haze comfortably.
  • At 22 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 October 14, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waxing Crescent at 14% illumination. Aurora at 24.8° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.

Nearby places

Stargazing in Hsinchu: common questions

Is Hsinchu a good place for stargazing?

Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan 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 Hsinchu?

From Hsinchu, Taiwan, Taiwan (24.80°, 120.97°) the Milky Way's bright core climbs at least 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. It peaks in April, reaching about 36°. Moonlight, cloud and city lights still decide what you actually see.

What is the best night this month for stargazing near Hsinchu?

The darkest nights fall around the New Moon. As of 2026-10-14 the Moon is a Waxing Crescent at 14% illumination, and the next New Moon is November 9, 2026 (UTC). Pair it with a clear forecast and a site away from town lights.