Stargazing in Xai-Xai, Gaza Province, Mozambique

Dark-sky rating for Xai-Xai

Xai-Xai, Gaza Province, Mozambique is a small city (population about 154,356). A place this size typically has a rural to suburban transition: the Milky Way core can be glimpsed on clear, moonless nights. That is an estimate of Bortle class 4–5 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 Xai-Xai. Our list only includes genuine, publicly documented sites, so none is shown rather than guessed.

Milky Way season in Xai-Xai

The bright core of the Milky Way passes almost directly overhead. 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 86°.

• The south celestial pole stands 25.1° above the horizon, so stars within 25° of it never set from here.
• About 71.2% 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 86.1° up, passing almost directly overhead.
• The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are circumpolar here — visible on any clear, dark night of the year.
• At 4 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 19, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waxing Gibbous at 62% illumination. Aurora at 25.1° latitude generally needs about Kp 9.0.

Nearby places

• Maputo, Maputo City, Mozambique
• Maxixe, Inhambane Province, Mozambique