A bright nighttime sky — whether lit by a full moon, streetlights or city light pollution — is a skywatcher's worst enemy. So, what can you do about it?

Here are a few tips for looking up when viewing conditions are less than ideal.

Use a light pollution map

A light pollution map can help you find pockets in your area with darker skies.

This interactive global map uses VIIRS satellite data to show exact light pollution levels in any neighborhood.

DarkSky also has a list of urban night sky locations — maybe one on that list is near you.

Look for specific celestial targets

Some objects in the sky are easier to see than others when the sky is brighter.

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These online resources from The Astronomical League’s Urban Observing Program can help: One focuses on deep-sky objects and another on double and variable stars.

(MORE: Wishing on a star: the best way to watch a meteor shower)

These curated lists of celestial targets are specifically chosen because they can be spotted even under bright suburban skies.

The moon and planets — such as Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn — are also often bright enough to cut straight through skyglow.

Patience and adapting to the dark

Have you ever turned off the lights in a room and been unable to see anything, only to find that your vision improves after a short while?

That happens because our eyes naturally adapt to the dark.

Before stargazing, find a comfortable spot and wear an eye mask with your eyes closed for 20 minutes to an hour. Then, remove it and look up.

You may be surprised by how much more you can see once your eyes have been primed for the dark and settled into the environment.

Minimize what light you can

Some surrounding lights may be within your control. It might not seem like a porch light across the yard affects your view, but it can. Turn off any artificial lights in your area if possible.

Positioning is also key. Stand in shadows or "nighttime shade" behind a wall, fence or thick row of trees to shield your eyes from glare.

Use red light if needed

Red wavelengths do not disrupt night vision as much as white light.

If light is necessary, use a dedicated red astronomical flashlight. You can even apply a red tint to your phone screen through its accessibility settings.

Get closer to the sky

The higher your altitude, the easier it is to cut through ground-level light pollution.

In an urban area without nearby mountains, a tall parking deck or a high hill in a park can offer a helpful vantage point.

Use optical tools

Sometimes viewing with the naked eye isn't enough. Consider using binoculars to give your eyes a boost.

(MORE: From eclipse glasses to telescopes: A stargazing gear guide)

Viewing the sky through a magnified lens narrows your field of view and darkens the background sky, increasing the contrast of individual stars and planets.

Averted vision

Human biology provides us with a neat little hack called “averted vision.”

Our eyes rely on rods and cones: rods act as low-light detectors, while cones enable full-color, high-resolution vision.

When you position a faint celestial object in your peripheral vision rather than looking directly at it, it becomes easier to see. This is because the edges of our retinas contain a higher concentration of rods than the center.

This technique takes practice, but over time it can significantly improve your night sky observations.

Content writer Ada Wood enjoys exploring the stories that science and climate teach us about our natural world and how it influences the way we live in it.