One last item on the Bucket List

Tabaz

Before I leave this carbon-based shell, I would like to take my T@B and camp somewhere in the Lower 48 where the sky is blanketed by stars each night. Where are these places and what time of year is best?

jasin

Big Bend - no light pollution.

Nomad

Up by Datil, NM near the big radar telescope array - They have a weekend seminar on shooting the night sky in the little town east of there - Magdalena. Can't recall what week that is though - Thinking late Oct. The original "dark sky" location isn't too far south of there either. Death Valley's not bad.
Edit-Add: Nice little BLM campground just outside Datil - Even has WiFi (slow though) - Central water and vault toilets.

jkjenn

Kodachrome Basin State Park in UT - close to Bryce Canyon.

Tip: schedule it for a new moon.,

Nomad

Doesn't a full moon screw up the dark sky star gazin?

pthomas745

This web site provides a forecast for clear skies for thousands of observation points.  When you click on a state/region name, it takes you to a page with the clear sky forecasts for those locations.  Look for the locations with black squares under the light pollution column, which indicate how "dark" the sky should be there.   Some great ideas on where to go, along with the groups of astronomers or enthusiasts who use the locations.  A fabulous resource. 

I've been to a place in the Southern Sierras called Kennedy Meadows many times for Milky Way or Perseid viewing.   Its in kind of a little bowl, so not as great as some other desert spots, but I really like it up there.

http://cleardarksky.com/csk/index.html#chart_list

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Doesn't a full moon screw up the dark sky star gazin?

That's why I suggested a new moon. 

Nomad

Think I need new glasses - Oh wait, I just got some :-(

mash2

Dark site finder (http://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html) is good resource.  Good program at Great Basin NP in Nevada that I attended in midsummer.    
General map below (can blow up for details on site.  Darkest areas are best locations.  (i.e.,eastern Oregon, Nevada, south central Utah, Idaho, Montana, eastern New Mexico).  I match this Map with TPE (photo program that provides moon phases and galaxy
details to determine when and where to try. Other sites will combine data on weather patterns to improve chances of success (see pthomas reference above for instance).

Nomad

There's a nifty App called StarWalk that shows you what you're seeing in the sky - Allows to time shift to see what's coming also...

mash2

If you haven't looked at TPE or PhotoPills, take a look.  I was thinking of TPE, but PhotoPills has some neat features for photographers.  It will give a dynamic view of the milky Way galaxy on your iPhone or iPod screen in place with a live photo preview of a specific location.  You can see where the galaxy and arc of galaxy and select only new moon dates to evaluate the potential of a location, including a situation of where the galaxy will be at various times.  Neither is free, but they offer some great features, including some nice information on galaxy positioning at different times and dates as well as star information.  PhotoMoon provides info on the moon, location, phase that also comes in handy.  I'll look at star walk 2. 

Me_and_My_Dog

Looking forward to a camping trip next week to Clear Springs Campground in the Homochitto National Forest in Mississippi. When my friends and I were there in October, we laid a tapestry on the ground and laid there with our dogs, marveling at the zillions of stars overhead. I recall feeling the wonder of creation in my earlier years, but hadn't had that feeling in some time. It's truly humbling and inspiring.

dmerzbac

It is so sad that there are fewer and fewer true dark sky locations. There are organizations who strive to preserve these locations. You've got some good suggestions above. Having said that, if it was me I would head to Big Bend Nat'l Park or McDonald Observatory in West Texas.

jkjenn

If you want a simple approach, the Milky way, generally rises towards the East and sets towards the West. depending on where you are in the lunar cycle, it might rise earlier or later, but in the summer, it's hard to catch the full effect much before 11:00 PM because the sunlight lingers in the sky for a long time and the sun sets later. Spring and Fall might afford the best times because the sunsets earlier without the very cold temps of winter.

LauraRey

PXLated said:

Up by Datil, NM near the big radar telescope array -

Is there boondocking allowed anywhere near the array area?

dlud

I would second the suggestion of Big Bend or McDonald Observatory. There is a nice state park near McDonald Observatory, Ft. Davis State Park. Make reservations.

ChanW

Great thread. Dang! I'd forgotten what I was missing here in the northeast USA. (now if I could just get my neighbors to shut off their all-night scare lights - where's my slingshot...)

Nomad

mash2 - PhotoPills is great. Tend to use it more than TPE these days. Have it setup in notifications so sunrise/sunset etc are alwas in that panel.

LauraRey - No boondocking real close. Closest is probably down by Socorro - Mostly FS campgrounds in the area other than the BLM outside Datil - All dry camping. There's a muni in PieTown but it's kind of the pits. There's an Telescope/Observatory way up above the Water Canyon FS campground closer to Socorro - Long winding, cliff side road up to that - Don't take your T@B :-)

jkjenn

ChanW said:

Great thread. Dang! I'd forgotten what I was missing here in the northeast USA. (now if I could just get my neighbors to shut off their all-night scare lights - where's my slingshot...)

Cherry Creek State Park in PA or the rural Finger Lakes have pretty decent skies, for the East, but nothing like the Southwest and I think the dry air is a big factor.

ChanW

Yeah, and the Adirondacks, of course. But no, it just ain't quite the same! (And it's amazing, and strange, how Montana really does have a Big Sky!)

jkjenn said:

Cherry Creek State Park in PA or the rural Finger Lakes have pretty decent skies, for the East, but nothing like the Southwest and I think the dry air is a big factor.

jkjenn

ChanW said:

Yeah, and the Adirondacks, of course. But no, it just ain't quite the same! (And it's amazing, and strange, how Montana really does have a Big Sky!)

jkjenn said:

Cherry Creek State Park in PA or the rural Finger Lakes have pretty decent skies, for the East, but nothing like the Southwest and I think the dry air is a big factor.

Yes! Its very big!

Nomad

Big cloudy, rainy skys for my trek across MT :-(

marilyncp

Great post.  I travel with a small Celestron 70mm telescope.  Always ready and I'm able to see some nice planets and star systems in most times.  FYI, starting June 17th for the following week, there is Star Party event at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Lots of very large amateur telescopes to view and talk to a whole slew of astronomers.   I'll be there June 17th & 18th at Mather Campground. 

Homebodyatheart

PXL, we have 1-2 inches of sky predicted to fall today, and is falling as I type. Our utility company has changed out all the street lights to brilliant LED ones. To say I detest them would be a huge understatement! ChanW, maybe if I'd borrow that slingshot of yours then Eric and I can fix that...he can get the north end of town, I'll get the south end. Until we get tossed in the pokey... ;-)

Marilyncp, darn it all I never thought about taking a telescope! I've always wanted one. I need to remember to pack my star chart book in Dr@gonfly! Thanks! 

marilyncp

@Homebodyatheart Yes, having a scope is fun, but be careful which one you order.  They can be big and heavy, which I learned the hard way.  I bought a traveling telescope.  It came with its own caring case and if very light weight.  

https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488916612&sr=8-1&keywords=celestron+70mm+travel+scope

Homebodyatheart

Thanks Marilyncp! I'll look into that. Do need to bring the T@B home first probably...

ericnliz

Homebodyatheart, No LED lights in my neighborhood, so..... Pokey is out for me! Besides, I have a back yard with no lights, and an open view to the sky. By the way, the sky is falling here too, but as of yet, not sticking. I have one more snow mound to rake down so I can get the T@B out without having to cross-country it. (or take out the spare and all the plumbing underneath in the process) Have thought about adapting skis for the wheels though.  

dmerzbac

marilyncp said:

@Homebodyatheart Yes, having a scope is fun, but be careful which one you order.  They can be big and heavy, which I learned the hard way.  I bought a traveling telescope.  It came with its own caring case and if very light weight.  

https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488916612&sr=8-1&keywords=celestron+70mm+travel+scope

Great suggestions, Marilyncp!  I would also suggest a good pair of binoculars, maybe something like 10x50"s. It is amazing what you can see with them. I like to take my telescope also at times, but those darn binocs are so handy!

Joe

Another vote for Big Bend

Estancio

When I was a child, we could see the Milky Way from our back yard in North Carolina. Half a century later, that is now impossible. If you like mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place in summer for lovely sky views. There are also wonderfully remote places in New Mexico as well. 

TabberJohn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark-sky_preserve
Notables include Death Valley (CA), Canyonlands (UT), Natural Bridges (UT), Chaco Culture (NM), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (CO, and Big Bend (TX).