Dark Skies: Times Square, in Manhattan, would not be the best place to take pictures of the stars. What we now call light pollution is great for non-photographers and people who don't...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Times Square, in Manhattan, would not be the best place to take pictures of the stars. What we now call light pollution is great for non-photographers and people who don't like to look at the stars, but it's bad for viewing the night sky. Having towns and roads well-lit is great for safety, but all that light blocks out the stars. It's a matter of safety vs photography.

Below is a map of where you can go to get a good view of the night sky. Many of you probably already live near these areas. For others, it will be a long drive.

Kingman

It’s a matter of safety and the science of astronomy. In designated “dark” skies areas you can have both. The wonder and beauty of seeing the Milky Way should be cherished for all humans. It can and should be a humbling experience for all human to witnesses our own Milky Way!

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

AMEN to this sad fact......thanks man.

Brokenland

Good to know, Maine here we come.

LCD

I would have thought smack in the middle of West Virginia would be dark skies. There are places I can drive for miles at night and not see any light.

Kingman

I am sure you can find dark skies in many areas of the country, but I believe the regions map has been specifically as "Dark Skies" and many of these regions have specific regulations regarding how all night time light must limited and be pointed downwards.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

Kingman wrote:

It’s a matter of safety and the science of astronomy. In designated “dark” skies areas you can have both. The wonder and beauty of seeing the Milky Way should be cherished for all humans. It can and should be a humbling experience for all human to witnesses our own Milky Way!

The most precious experience of my past years was sailing home to Plymouth from Gibraltar after 5 years in the Med. I was solo and having to have a quick lookout every 30 minutes. One night I looked up at the night sky and just became lost in that deep experience of seeing the Milky Way. Hundreds of thousands of stars. It was profoundly captivating. Although some nearly 40 years ago I can still close my eyes and see that night sky.

I agree totally with your last two sentences!

Kingman

Everyone should experience the ability to read by only the star light of the Milky Way....think about that for a bit and one might get what I mean and that many may never and should experience in a lifetime!

Littlewheel

East coast isn't as dark, but still some good places.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

jerryc41 wrote:

Times Square, in Manhattan, would not be the best place to take pictures of the stars. What we now call light pollution is great for non-photographers and people who don't like to look at the stars, but it's bad for viewing the night sky. Having towns and roads well-lit is great for safety, but all that light blocks out the stars. It's a matter of safety vs photography.

Here's a more interactive Light Pollution Map that I just came across.
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=4&lat=5196642&lon=-10432077&layers=B0FFFFFFTFFFF

MDI Mainer

For those interested, Acadia National Park celebrates a "Night Sky Festival" each year. This year is the 11th year for the event, and it will be held September 25-29.

Here is the link to the activities http://www.acadianightskyfestival.org/

There are usually a couple of star photography workshops.

And if you need a place to stay (disclosure we own this cottage)

https://www.vacasa.com/unit.php?UnitID=26903

MDI Mainer

Some night sky photos from Maine:

https://bangordailynews.com/2019/08/07/news/state/12-photos-that-prove-maine-has-the-prettiest-night-skies/?mc_cid=d4ed35a54c&mc_eid=b8072237e7

https://bangordailynews.com/2019/08/06/news/state/maine-is-one-of-the-few-places-left-with-a-pristine-night-sky-in-the-us/?mc_cid=d4ed35a54c&mc_eid=b8072237e7

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

LCD wrote:

I would have thought smack in the middle of West Virginia would be dark skies. There are places I can drive for miles at night and not see any light.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

I live in Ohio, and I and some of my friends have spent many a night at Indian Lake fishing until 5:00 am for schools of white bass. You could always look to the sky when the fishing slowed up and see so many stars it was unbelievable, along with beautiful sights of the Milky Way. The only problem was that none of us was ever bright enough to bring photo gear along with the fishing gear.

carney2

I spend a lot of time in Maine because of family. To me, it's the gray state, with a seemingly constant cloud cover. When you look at a map the reason seems obvious. Maine sticks out to the east - into the ocean - beyond the rest of New England. It is a collecting point for all of that moisture moving north along the Atlantic coast.