the zodiacal light is still visible, but does not extend halfway to the zenith at dusk or dawn
light pollution domes visible in several directions
clouds are illuminated in the directions of the light sources, dark overhead
surroundings are clearly visible, even at a distance
the Milky Way well above the horizon is still impressive, but lacks detail
M33 is a difficult averted vision object, only visible when high in the sky
limiting magnitude with 12.5" reflector is 15.5
4.5
Semi-Suburban/Transition sky
6.1–6.3
20.3–20.8
clouds have a grayish glow at zenith and appear bright in the direction of one or more prominent city light domes
the Milky Way is only vaguely visible – 10–15 degrees above the horizon. However the Great Rift, when overhead and with good transparency, is still obvious.
Although the views of bright globular clusters through 10" aperture and larger are striking, the outer regions of galaxies are difficult or impossible to see.
limiting magnitude with 12.5" reflector is 15.2
5
Suburban sky
5.6–6.0
19.25–20.3
only hints of zodiacal light are seen on the best nights in autumn and spring
light pollution is visible in most, if not all, directions
clouds are noticeably brighter than the sky
the Milky Way is invisible near the horizon, and looks washed out overhead. The winter Milky Way, even directly overhead, is fairly subtle.
when it is half moon (first/last quarter) in a dark location the sky appears like this, but with the difference that the sky appears dark blue
limiting magnitude with 12.5" reflector is 15
6
Bright suburban sky
5.1–5.5
18.5–19.25
the zodiacal light is invisible
light pollution makes the sky within 35° of the horizon glow grayish white
clouds anywhere in the sky appear fairly bright
even high clouds (cirrus) appear brighter than the sky background
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