Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with stargazing

Space Oddity - Can any one explain the green glow in the night sky?

phyrewerx — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:27:30 -0800

Astronomy question: there's been a vertical green glow in the night sky, south by southwest (near the moon) for the last two nights in the Pacific North West. Any suggestions what it might be? Specifically, I saw it near the endowment lands in Vancouver west. It's been seen over the last two nights. I know tonight was overcast and the origins might be terrestrial, however, any suggestions as to what it might be would be greatly appreciated!

Where to stargaze around Austin?

Roman Graves — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:58:25 -0800

Where's a good spot to go stargazing around Austin (naked eye or with telescope in tow)? I noticed the AAS has a dark sky spot at Canyon of the Eagles, so places other than that. Preferably safe places that won't get me arrested.

Where can I take a vacation for epic stargazing?

BuddhaInABucket — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:31:32 -0800

Where can I go for the awesomest stargazing possible? I randomly had the idea to take a vacation for the purpose of going stargazing. I understand that I'm asking for something contradictory, but what are the darkest places on earth that are not extremely difficult to get to? I want to see the milky way like our ancestors saw it before electricity. I've only ever seen the milky way in the sky once, in 1989, and when I visited the same spot in 2003, there wasn't a star in the sky (outer Tehran, for those curious).

Are there tours that cater to this desire? I'm based in Southern California and would prefer to stay in the western hemisphere if possible, but don't let that stop you from making your other suggestions.

Good spots for stargazing/astrophotography in NJ?

Godbert — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:37:37 -0800

Where are some good (relatively) dark-sky places I can go in New Jersey for some stargazing/astrophotography? I've long been interested in astronomy, and lately I've been meaning to take up some astrophotography, and though I have a camera and a telescope, I unfortunately live in a big city, right across from an even bigger city (Manhattan). The end result is that there's so much light pollution it's not really worth trying anything.

I have a car, and I'd like to be able to take myself, the telescope, and the camera and go somewhere less light-polluted, with a clear view of the sky, but I have no idea what places fit the bill.

I live in Hoboken, and I'm looking for somewhere within about an hour's drive.

Dark skies in western Washington

0xFCAF — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:39:01 -0800

Where can I find some truly dark skies in western Washington state? My fondest childhood memory is sitting out on my relatives' farm in who-knows-where-South Dakota, staring up at a surrealistically bright Milky Way. These days I live in the Seattle area and it's a pretty rare sight to see more than a few stars.

But I now have 9 days of vacation, a week of what appears to be good weather, and a willingness to drive 6+ hours to get to a good place to see the night sky as I remember it (or something close). What are some actual locations (i.e. names, places, parks, whatever) with great stargazing? I'm also willing to do a strenuous hike if that's needed - pretty much anything is in. Bonus points if I can camp out in a bivy sack in said location.

Pre-emptive: The Dark Sky Finder applet is next to worthless - without roads or any other information about how to get there, all it really does it tell me that it's bright where I am (which I already knew).

The Best Binoculars

rare_g — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 09:02:03 -0800

What are the best binoculars I can buy for my money?