# Light Pollution Map - Dark Sky

> An accurate light pollution map with more than 100 other astronomy tools.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.pa.lightpollutionmap](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.pa.lightpollutionmap)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.pa.lightpollutionmap`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Dunbar Technology, LLC
- **Category:** EDUCATION
- **Downloads:** 623,462
- **Rating:** 4.68 / 5 (7,306 ratings)
- **Version:** 5.5.7
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-26
- **First published:** 2015-08-07
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 31 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-17
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pa.lightpollutionmap)
- **Website:** [https://photographersarsenal.com](https://photographersarsenal.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://dunbartechnology.com/privacy-policy/](https://dunbartechnology.com/privacy-policy/)

## Description

Light Pollution Map - Dark Sky is a comprehensive Chrome extension designed for astronomy enthusiasts to locate the darkest skies free from light pollution. It offers an integrated light pollution map, cloud cover and temperature info, aurora overlays, and live ISS tracking. Users can receive alerts for meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and auroras, enhancing their night sky observation experience.

Beyond the map, the extension provides detailed moon data, live aurora webcams, NASA SOHO solar images, astronomy calculators, and a night sky calendar featuring celestial events. Its customizable widgets and night mode with AMOLED themes make it user-friendly for all users, whether casual star gazers or serious astronomers.

## Rankings

- #89,153 — Overall
- #7 — pollution

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`
- `com.pa.lightpollutionmap.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users largely praise the app for ease of use and its value in locating dark-sky sites and aiding stargazing/astro photography. However, multiple reviews cite data accuracy issues with the Bortle scale, reliability concerns, and incomplete interactive data (areas clicked do not always reveal details) as recurring problems. Some advertised features are not consistently available. Overall, it's useful for casual planning but its credibility for precise planning is limited.

### Pros

- Easy to use and user-friendly
- Helpful for finding dark-sky locations and planning stargazing/astrophotography using the Bortle scale
- Works as advertised / generally reliable for quick use
- Lets you see stars and is handy for night photography planning

### Cons

- Bortle scale data is inaccurate or inconsistent; values appear skewed or unreliable
- Overall reliability concerns; some users describe the app as not reliable
- Interaction limitations: tapping areas does not reveal bortle level or additional data
- Some features/maps are not fully implemented or do not overlay as advertised (e.g., maps/2026 feature)

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Light pollution map](https://chrome-stats.com/d/info.lightpollutionmap.mobile) — 6,662 users, 4.36 / 5
- [Light Pollution Map –V1](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.ekik.lightmap.lightpollution) — 5,210 users, 1.57 / 5
- [Star Charts - Dark Sky Map](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.skymap.skyobservationmapstar) — 1,752 users
- [Night Earth](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.dreamcoder.nightearth.free) — 207,114 users, 4.07 / 5
- [SkyQI- Light Pollution Monitor](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.skyqi.mobile) — 1,562 users
- [Dark Sky Map View & Finder](https://chrome-stats.com/d/star.starwalk.startracker.sky.galaxy.starmap.skytonight.skyview) — 7,612 users, 3.33 / 5
- [Dark Skies: Astrophotography](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.strykeout.darkskies2) — 371 users
- [Astronomy: Sky Map](https://chrome-stats.com/d/solutions.pleiades.store) — 82 users
- [Loss of the night](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.cosalux.welovestars) — 96,387 users, 4.27 / 5
- [Old Light: Night Sky Star Map](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.the42apps.skyview) — 45 users
- [The Sky's the Limit](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.chakwo0099.Astronomy) — 97 users
- [Stargazing Hub: Astro Guide](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.twtapp) — 32,052 users, 4.44 / 5

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.pa.lightpollutionmap)