Stargazing guide
Stargazing in West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel has an estimated Bortle 5–6 sky (mid-sized city). The Milky Way core is highest after dark in April, at about 29°.
How dark the sky is around West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel, the nearest certified dark-sky places, when the Milky Way core is visible, and the next dark New Moon. Calculated for 31.78°, 35.22°.
Estimated sky glow
Milky Way core
Next New Moon
Dark-sky rating for West Jerusalem
West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel is a mid-sized city (population about 400,000). 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
- Ramon Crater Dark Sky Park · certified dark-sky place · about 137 km away
- Wise Observatory · observatory · about 139 km away
Milky Way season in West Jerusalem
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 29°.
- The north celestial pole stands 31.8° above the horizon, so stars within 32° of it never set from here.
- About 76.3% 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 29.2° up, staying low, so a clear southern horizon matters.
- At 796 m elevation, roughly 9% 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 31.8° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.
Nearby places
Stargazing in West Jerusalem: common questions
Is West Jerusalem a good place for stargazing?
West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 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). The nearest certified dark-sky place or observatory in our registry is Ramon Crater Dark Sky Park, about 137 km away.
When can you see the Milky Way from West Jerusalem?
From West Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (31.78°, 35.22°) 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 29°. Moonlight, cloud and city lights still decide what you actually see.
What is the best night this month for stargazing near West Jerusalem?
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.