Optimistic Paranoid
Adventurist
According to Fodor, anyway . . .
http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-best-stargazing-sites-in-the-us
http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-best-stargazing-sites-in-the-us
10 Best Stargazing Sitesin U.S.
- Thread starter Optimistic Paranoid
- Start date
Optimistic Paranoid
Adventurist
BTW, on a related note, there is a total solar eclipse coming up in August of 2017. It's not too early to begin making plans for that trip. I plan to be in Wyoming for it.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html
jscusmcvet
Adventurist
The now defunct Mid Atlantic Star Party used to happen right here in my "neighborhood". It closed down , but the stars are still here... Although we can see the glow from local towns.
http://masp.us/
http://masp.us/
The top 3 places for stargazing that I have been to on my travels are Great Basin NP, Big Bend NP (close second), Chaco Canyon. In that order.
GBNP has the dry air from the high desert and altitudes (even a campground) in excess of 10k ft. This combination along with it being darn near the ONLY thing in eastern NV means zero light pollution.
BBNP also has the dry air, but doesnt offer quite as much elevation. There are only a couple small towns within a 100 mile radius, and the national park is bordered on 3 sides by Mexican national parks and Big Bend Ranch State park (which also boasts spectacular stargazing, but there is some light pollution that far west.
Chaco... Dry air, a mile high, and its in the middle of nowhere. Reservation land all around it. No towns nearby.
On a moonless night at each of the above, it will be difficult to pick out constellations due to the sheer number of visible stars in the sky. Absolutely breathtaking and humbling. Lying in the hammock looking up makes me feel like Im in outer space.
GBNP has the dry air from the high desert and altitudes (even a campground) in excess of 10k ft. This combination along with it being darn near the ONLY thing in eastern NV means zero light pollution.
BBNP also has the dry air, but doesnt offer quite as much elevation. There are only a couple small towns within a 100 mile radius, and the national park is bordered on 3 sides by Mexican national parks and Big Bend Ranch State park (which also boasts spectacular stargazing, but there is some light pollution that far west.
Chaco... Dry air, a mile high, and its in the middle of nowhere. Reservation land all around it. No towns nearby.
On a moonless night at each of the above, it will be difficult to pick out constellations due to the sheer number of visible stars in the sky. Absolutely breathtaking and humbling. Lying in the hammock looking up makes me feel like Im in outer space.
Phoenix
Adventurist
hmmmmmm
The KofA NWR is another well kept secret with minimal light pollution. Yuma throws very little light and PHX is well over 100 miles away and mountains block a lot of its light pollution.