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Astronomy Insights

America’s Dark-Sky

LocationsHow to Choose an

Observing Site

A Digital Supplement to Astronomy Magazine

March 2016 • Astronomy.com

2 ASTRONOMY INSIGHTS • MARCH 2016

Die-hard amateur astronomers aren’t the only ones who want a dark observing site. It could be that you recently purchased your first telescope, and you’re dying to know how well it can perform under optimal conditions. Unfortunately, you live in a metropolitan

area where just catching the Moon in the sky is an accomplish-ment. Take heart! As this map shows, you’ll find great observing locations throughout the contiguous United States.

Some are the sites of star parties, three- to nine-day annual events where amateurs — as well as the public — gather under a dark sky. Others are sites managed by and for local astronomy

clubs. Become a member and you’ll gain immediate access to a dark site. Still others are communities set up specifically for ama-teur astronomers where you can lease or purchase lots.

Whichever location you choose, you will experience a great limiting magnitude (the faintest star you can see) and good seeing (the steadiness of the atmosphere above you). Just remember to check the weather forecast before you go. No site is good enough to overcome clouds.

Searching for a place to set up your telescope? A top-notch location might be closer than you think.by Michael E. Bakich

Amateur astronomy

20 best dark-sky sites in the U.S.

1 Cherry Springs State ParkLocation: near Galeton,PennsylvaniaOpen: year-roundHosts: the Cherry Springs Star Party; the Black Forest Star Party; Music and Stars programs featur-ing concerts followed by an hour of stargazing (requires admission fee); free public programsNote: The International Dark-Sky Association named it the second International Dark Sky Park on June 11, 2008.[w] www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/cherrysprings

2 Green Bank Star QuestLocation: Green Bank,West VirginiaOpen: once a year for a four-night star partyNote: Organizers bill the Star Quest as the largest optical and radio star party in the nation. Reg-istration includes campsite and shower facilities.[w] www.greenbankstarquest.org

3 Deerlick Astronomy VillageLocation: Sharon, GeorgiaOpen: to individuals who buy an

annual field membership; 1.5-acre plots for cabins or houses are available on these 96 acresHosts: the Peach State Star GazeNote: As of this writing, only four sites remain available.[w] www.deerlickgroup.com

4 Chiefland Astronomy VillageLocation: 7 miles south ofChiefland, FloridaOpen: to members, and to visitors approximately 10 days per month for $5 per nightHosts: the Chiefland Star Party[w] www.chiefland.com/chieflandastronomyvillage.php

5 Winter Star PartyLocation: on Scout Key in the Florida KeysOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: This location has the most southerly latitude — 24°38'58.2" — of any dark-sky site on this map. From here, Acrux (Alpha [α] Crucis), the southernmost bright star in Crux the Southern Cross, sits right on the horizon, and the globular cluster Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) stands 18° above the

southern horizon at its highest.[w] www.scas.org/wsp.html

6 Great Lakes Star GazeLocation: River Valley RV Park in Gladwin, MichiganOpen: once a year for a four-day star partyNote: In addition to sites at the RV park, you’ll find available lodging at five nearby locations. Registra-tion discounts are available to those signing up before the posted deadlines.[w] www.greatlakesstargaze.com

7 Hobbs ObservatoryLocation: Beaver Creek Reserve near Fall Creek, WisconsinOpen: year-round to members of the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (CVAS) and guestsHosts: the Northwoods Starfest, a three-day event in late summerNote: The CVAS conducts monthly club meetings (except during December) that include programs and observing and are open to the public.[w] www.cvastro.org/events.htm

8 Heart of America Star PartyLocation: near Butler, Missouri

Open: once a year for a five- to seven-day star partyNote: hosted by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City[w] www.hoasp.org

9 Nebraska Star PartyLocation: Snake Campground, Merritt Reservoir, 27 miles south of Valentine, NebraskaOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: A Nebraska State Park entrance permit ($4 per day; $20 per year) is required on all vehi-cles entering the observing field. A $7 per day fee also is required if you are camping in the park.[w] www.nebraskastarparty.org

10 Okie-Tex Star PartyLocation: Camp Billy Joe, 1 mile east of Kenton, OklahomaOpen: once a year for a nine-day star partyNote: The event is hosted by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club. The club allows school groups that preregister to attend.[w] www.okie-tex.com

11 Rocky Mountain Star StareLocation: private land roughly 6

Michael E. Bakich is an Astronomy senior editor who has observed at

most of the sites on this map (and lots more).

Washington

Oregon

Nevada

Montana

Wyoming

Idaho

North Dakota

Utah

New MexicoArizona

MEXICO

CANADA

Texas

South Dakota

Colorado

Oklahoma

Kansas

Nebraska

Minn.

La.

Iowa

Ark.

Missouri

Wis.

Ala.

Tennessee

Georgia

SouthCarolina

NorthCarolina

Ohio

Virginia

Pa.

N.Y.

Vt.N.H.

Del.N.J.

N.H.

Mass.

Maine

Md.W.Va.Ind.

Mich.

Kentucky

Illinois

Califo

rnia

Miss.

Florida

Conn.Conn.R.I.

1

2

3

4

8

14

12

1315

1720

19

9

7 6

18

10

5

11

16

miles north of Gardner, ColoradoOpen: once a year for a five-day star party in June or early JulyNote: The Colorado Springs Astro-nomical Society hosts this event, which features speakers, kids’ activities, door prizes, and more.[w] www.rmss.org

12 Texas Star PartyLocation: Prude Ranch, 5 miles north of Fort Davis, TexasOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: Prude Ranch offers tent camping, trailer/RV sites, bunk-houses that sleep eight to 20, and family cabins that sleep two to four. Because of high demand, organizers of the Texas Star Party conduct a random drawing in January to choose that year’s actual attendees.[w] www.texasstarparty.org

13 Double U RanchLocation: near Cornudas, TexasOpen: year-round to members and guests of the Sun CityAstronomers (SCA)Note: The SCA meets monthly in the Gene Roddenberry Planetar-ium, 6531 Boeing Drive in El Paso.

[w] http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/suncityastronomy

14 Enchanted Skies Star PartyLocation: Socorro, New MexicoOpen: once a year for a four-day star partyNote: offers tours of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and a night of observing at the Magda-lena Ridge Observatory, which sits atop South Baldy at an eleva-tion of 10,600 feet (3,230 meters)[w] www.enchantedskies.org

15 Granite GapLocation: 13 miles north-northwest of Animas, New MexicoOpen: year-round to lessees and for site inspection visits by indi-viduals wishing to lease plotsNote: Leases are available for1/3-acre plots on which you can park a camper or erect an obser-vatory. Rental units are available for extended stays.[w] www.granitegap.com

16 Russell Country Star PartyLocation: Lewis and ClarkInterpretive Center, Great Falls, MontanaOpen: monthly on Friday nights

closest to New Moon, weather permittingNote: The Central Montana Astronomy Society, with coopera-tion from the U.S. Forest Service, hosts these events, which include refreshments, indoor kids’ activi-ties, free admission to the Lewis and Clark Center, and more.[w] www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/15177.htm

17 Grand Canyon Star PartyLocation: the North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park in ArizonaOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: Volunteers set up their tele-scopes for park visitors. Admission for seven days is $25 per private vehicle or $12 per individual.[w] www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm

18 Table Mountain Star PartyLocation: approximately 20 miles north of Ellensburg, WashingtonOpen: once a year in July or August for a three-day star partyNote: You can get to the star party other ways than the directions on

its website. Alternate routes, how-ever, are generally suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.[w] www.tmspa.com

19 Oregon Star PartyLocation: Indian Trail Spring in the Ochoco National Forest, 45 miles east of Prineville, OregonOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: This star party spreads across 40 acres and offers some of the darkest skies in the country. Organizers develop three observ-ing lists every year, each with an award certificate and pin.[w] www.oregonstarparty.org

20 Steve Kufeld Astronomical SiteLocation: 2.5 acres approximately 90 miles northwest of LosAngeles, CaliforniaOpen: year-round to members and guests of the Los Angeles Astronomical SocietyNote: The site offers 57 concrete pads with power outlets for set-ting up personal telescopes. Members can purchase one of these pads for a nominal fee.[w] www.laas.org

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Die-hard amateur astronomers aren’t the only ones who want a dark observing site. It could be that you recently purchased your first telescope, and you’re dying to know how well it can perform under optimal conditions. Unfortunately, you live in a metropolitan

area where just catching the Moon in the sky is an accomplish-ment. Take heart! As this map shows, you’ll find great observing locations throughout the contiguous United States.

Some are the sites of star parties, three- to nine-day annual events where amateurs — as well as the public — gather under a dark sky. Others are sites managed by and for local astronomy

clubs. Become a member and you’ll gain immediate access to a dark site. Still others are communities set up specifically for ama-teur astronomers where you can lease or purchase lots.

Whichever location you choose, you will experience a great limiting magnitude (the faintest star you can see) and good seeing (the steadiness of the atmosphere above you). Just remember to check the weather forecast before you go. No site is good enough to overcome clouds.

Searching for a place to set up your telescope? A top-notch location might be closer than you think.by Michael E. Bakich

Amateur astronomy

20 best dark-sky sites in the U.S.

1 Cherry Springs State ParkLocation: near Galeton,PennsylvaniaOpen: year-roundHosts: the Cherry Springs Star Party; the Black Forest Star Party; Music and Stars programs featur-ing concerts followed by an hour of stargazing (requires admission fee); free public programsNote: The International Dark-Sky Association named it the second International Dark Sky Park on June 11, 2008.[w] www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/cherrysprings

2 Green Bank Star QuestLocation: Green Bank,West VirginiaOpen: once a year for a four-night star partyNote: Organizers bill the Star Quest as the largest optical and radio star party in the nation. Reg-istration includes campsite and shower facilities.[w] www.greenbankstarquest.org

3 Deerlick Astronomy VillageLocation: Sharon, GeorgiaOpen: to individuals who buy an

annual field membership; 1.5-acre plots for cabins or houses are available on these 96 acresHosts: the Peach State Star GazeNote: As of this writing, only four sites remain available.[w] www.deerlickgroup.com

4 Chiefland Astronomy VillageLocation: 7 miles south ofChiefland, FloridaOpen: to members, and to visitors approximately 10 days per month for $5 per nightHosts: the Chiefland Star Party[w] www.chiefland.com/chieflandastronomyvillage.php

5 Winter Star PartyLocation: on Scout Key in the Florida KeysOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: This location has the most southerly latitude — 24°38'58.2" — of any dark-sky site on this map. From here, Acrux (Alpha [α] Crucis), the southernmost bright star in Crux the Southern Cross, sits right on the horizon, and the globular cluster Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) stands 18° above the

southern horizon at its highest.[w] www.scas.org/wsp.html

6 Great Lakes Star GazeLocation: River Valley RV Park in Gladwin, MichiganOpen: once a year for a four-day star partyNote: In addition to sites at the RV park, you’ll find available lodging at five nearby locations. Registra-tion discounts are available to those signing up before the posted deadlines.[w] www.greatlakesstargaze.com

7 Hobbs ObservatoryLocation: Beaver Creek Reserve near Fall Creek, WisconsinOpen: year-round to members of the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (CVAS) and guestsHosts: the Northwoods Starfest, a three-day event in late summerNote: The CVAS conducts monthly club meetings (except during December) that include programs and observing and are open to the public.[w] www.cvastro.org/events.htm

8 Heart of America Star PartyLocation: near Butler, Missouri

Open: once a year for a five- to seven-day star partyNote: hosted by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City[w] www.hoasp.org

9 Nebraska Star PartyLocation: Snake Campground, Merritt Reservoir, 27 miles south of Valentine, NebraskaOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: A Nebraska State Park entrance permit ($4 per day; $20 per year) is required on all vehi-cles entering the observing field. A $7 per day fee also is required if you are camping in the park.[w] www.nebraskastarparty.org

10 Okie-Tex Star PartyLocation: Camp Billy Joe, 1 mile east of Kenton, OklahomaOpen: once a year for a nine-day star partyNote: The event is hosted by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club. The club allows school groups that preregister to attend.[w] www.okie-tex.com

11 Rocky Mountain Star StareLocation: private land roughly 6

Michael E. Bakich is an Astronomy senior editor who has observed at

most of the sites on this map (and lots more).

Washington

Oregon

Nevada

Montana

Wyoming

Idaho

North Dakota

Utah

New MexicoArizona

MEXICO

CANADA

Texas

South Dakota

Colorado

Oklahoma

Kansas

Nebraska

Minn.

La.

Iowa

Ark.

Missouri

Wis.

Ala.

Tennessee

Georgia

SouthCarolina

NorthCarolina

Ohio

Virginia

Pa.

N.Y.

Vt.N.H.

Del.N.J.

N.H.

Mass.

Maine

Md.W.Va.Ind.

Mich.

Kentucky

Illinois

Califo

rnia

Miss.

Florida

Conn.Conn.R.I.

1

2

3

4

8

14

12

1315

1720

19

9

7 6

18

10

5

11

16

miles north of Gardner, ColoradoOpen: once a year for a five-day star party in June or early JulyNote: The Colorado Springs Astro-nomical Society hosts this event, which features speakers, kids’ activities, door prizes, and more.[w] www.rmss.org

12 Texas Star PartyLocation: Prude Ranch, 5 miles north of Fort Davis, TexasOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: Prude Ranch offers tent camping, trailer/RV sites, bunk-houses that sleep eight to 20, and family cabins that sleep two to four. Because of high demand, organizers of the Texas Star Party conduct a random drawing in January to choose that year’s actual attendees.[w] www.texasstarparty.org

13 Double U RanchLocation: near Cornudas, TexasOpen: year-round to members and guests of the Sun CityAstronomers (SCA)Note: The SCA meets monthly in the Gene Roddenberry Planetar-ium, 6531 Boeing Drive in El Paso.

[w] http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/suncityastronomy

14 Enchanted Skies Star PartyLocation: Socorro, New MexicoOpen: once a year for a four-day star partyNote: offers tours of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and a night of observing at the Magda-lena Ridge Observatory, which sits atop South Baldy at an eleva-tion of 10,600 feet (3,230 meters)[w] www.enchantedskies.org

15 Granite GapLocation: 13 miles north-northwest of Animas, New MexicoOpen: year-round to lessees and for site inspection visits by indi-viduals wishing to lease plotsNote: Leases are available for1/3-acre plots on which you can park a camper or erect an obser-vatory. Rental units are available for extended stays.[w] www.granitegap.com

16 Russell Country Star PartyLocation: Lewis and ClarkInterpretive Center, Great Falls, MontanaOpen: monthly on Friday nights

closest to New Moon, weather permittingNote: The Central Montana Astronomy Society, with coopera-tion from the U.S. Forest Service, hosts these events, which include refreshments, indoor kids’ activi-ties, free admission to the Lewis and Clark Center, and more.[w] www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/15177.htm

17 Grand Canyon Star PartyLocation: the North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park in ArizonaOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: Volunteers set up their tele-scopes for park visitors. Admission for seven days is $25 per private vehicle or $12 per individual.[w] www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm

18 Table Mountain Star PartyLocation: approximately 20 miles north of Ellensburg, WashingtonOpen: once a year in July or August for a three-day star partyNote: You can get to the star party other ways than the directions on

its website. Alternate routes, how-ever, are generally suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.[w] www.tmspa.com

19 Oregon Star PartyLocation: Indian Trail Spring in the Ochoco National Forest, 45 miles east of Prineville, OregonOpen: once a year for a weeklong star partyNote: This star party spreads across 40 acres and offers some of the darkest skies in the country. Organizers develop three observ-ing lists every year, each with an award certificate and pin.[w] www.oregonstarparty.org

20 Steve Kufeld Astronomical SiteLocation: 2.5 acres approximately 90 miles northwest of LosAngeles, CaliforniaOpen: year-round to members and guests of the Los Angeles Astronomical SocietyNote: The site offers 57 concrete pads with power outlets for set-ting up personal telescopes. Members can purchase one of these pads for a nominal fee.[w] www.laas.org

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; map

: Astrono

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elly


In early 2015, Celestron staff traveled to the physicist’s home to install a custom 11” CPC Deluxe HD telescope enabling him to wirelessly image the Moon, nebula, planets, and distant galaxies.

Writer, director, and producer of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Davis’s work has been featured on the pages of Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).

Discoverer of Jupiter’s “Red Spot Junior” a decade ago using a Celestron C11 and a Skyris camera, Go is a famed planetary imager and current member of the Amer ican Ast ronomica l Soc ie t y and i ts D iv is i on for P lanetar y Sc iences .

O’Donnell rocketed onto the scene in 2015 with an instantly viral, APOD winning image of the ISS transiting the Moon. He regularly contributes to the Celestron blog and hosts the livestreaming Global Star Party.

Regen quickly taught himself to use advanced-level equipment from Celestron and produced images almost immediately. He began sharing his knowledge with others through his blog series, “Learning Skyris”.

Authoring numerous popular books, the Bad Astronomy blog for Slate.com, moderating panels, and engaging the public through podcasts, live hangouts on the web, and social media – Phil Plait is a science communication powerhouse.

STEPHEN HAWKING

DYLAN O’DONNELL

JOHN DAVIS

GRANT REGEN

CHRISTOPHER GO

PHIL PLAIT

TEAM CELESTRON


PGA golfer by day, astroimager by night. As he’s traveling the country winning major golf events, Walker uses a Celestron tele-scope housed in New Mexico to conduct astroimaging sessions remotely.

Operated by Tony Berendsen and his son Ryan, Tahoe Star Tours has been giving tourists unforgettable views of the skies above the Sierras for the past two decades while melding poetry, music, and outreach.

Astronomy has been a part of every culture in history and that’s the foundation of Astronomers Without Borders: One People, One Sky. Through efforts big and small, AWB connects people worldwide through our shared night sky.

Author and astroimager Thierry Legault has had a variety of awards and accomplishments attached to his name. Legault is widely known for his astounding images of the Sun, the Moon, the ISS, and spy satellites.

Prolific astroimager, speaker, and author on all things celestial (including his 20 encyclopedia ar-ticles about space exploration), Reeves has been imaging the Moon for over 50 years!

A young veteran, Peach has been imaging for 25 years and has a string of awards and accolades too numerous to list here. Widely considered one of the best astrophotographers in the world.

JIMMY WALKER

THIERRY LEGAULT

TAHOE STAR TOURS

ROBERT REEVES

ASTRONOMERS WITHOUT BORDERS

DAMIAN PEACH

For the past few years, Celestron has been curating a veritable dream team of fans, brand ambassadors, and organizations from all walks of life, professional and amateur, who make significant contributions to astronomy, astroimaging, and public outreach. Explore the full roster, their stories, and images at Team Celestron and be sure to stay tuned for some exciting new additions in 2016.

WHO WOULD YOU DRAFT for your squad of astronomy all stars?


Stargazing in the city

CITY SCOPES

he day had been fine and clear, with the Sun shining brightly over Lake Michigan. But as twi-light now descends, fog rises up to smear out the Chicago sky-

line. Undaunted, Michelle Nichols, a mas-ter educator with the Adler Planetarium, continues to unpack her Dobsonian telescope, centering it squarely between the bright lights of the library parking lot. Nearby, volunteer astronomers set up binoculars on a tripod and a small go-to scope, all of them pointed at the only vis-ible target: the Moon.

As darkness deepens, visitors appear. A young woman shows up with a male com-panion in tow. “I’m so excited,” she says. “I saw this announcement in the neigh-borhood bulletin, and I texted everybody.” Saturn finally peeks through the gloom, and Nichols turns her scope on the ringed giant, bringing it into focus.

“Okay,” she tells the young woman, stepping back. “Go ahead.”

She leans over and her face lights up. From behind the eyepiece, she exclaims, “This is the best day of my life!”

Megan Gorzkowski, like most of the other visitors, has never looked through a telescope before, though she says she has long been a space fan. But the star party came right to her neighborhood tonight. So for roughly an hour and a half, she hangs

out and mingles with the astronomers. And she isn’t alone. Most of the more than two dozen attendees, whose ages range from a few months to past middle age, stick around for the duration of the event.

The limited seeing doesn’t seem to bother them. They ask about the motor on the go-to scope, the Dob’s Lazy Susan base, and the backgrounds of the astrono-mers gathered around. They duck in for second, third, and fourth looks at Saturn and its rings. Nichols encourages them to steer the Dob on their own to follow Saturn’s surprisingly swift path, and they pan around the Moon’s surface, learning words like “ray” and “terminator.”

If you ever find yourself lamenting the dearth of new blood in astronomy: This is how you fix it.

Dark sites are great for veteran observers, but when throwing

a star party for new friends, go where the people are.

by Korey Haynes

T

Korey Haynes is an Astronomy associate editor with a passion for public outreach. Previously, she volunteered with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and Project Astro.

The landmark Griffith Observatory was always intended as a place Angelenos could have as their personal connection to the stars. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY


If you’re pessimistic about observing targets, it’s true that deep-sky objects will be mostly out of reach in the city (though even at dark sites, newcomers often are disappointed that visual observing can’t attain the glowing colors that Hubble reveals). But not even the Big Apple can drown out the brilliance of Saturn with its flaring rings. It’s impossible to look at the Moon the same way after poring across its surface with just binoculars. And these simple celestial wonders shine extra bright for urban crowds accustomed to seeing only a handful of stars when they glance up at their night skies.

Even in America’s biggest, most light-polluted cities, astronomy lovers reach out to each other to share their passion, as well as some surprisingly nice telescopes.

Hollywood starsLos Angeles, CAWhatever your thoughts on city observ-ing, one place should spring to mind immediately: Griffith Observatory reigns as the most popular in the world, with more than a million visitors per year. Perched just above the smog and lights of Los Angeles, a stone’s throw from the famed Hollywood Sign, Griffith has since its inception not just tolerated its urban status, but embraced it. But even with a state-of-the-art planetarium and plenty of museum-style exhibit space, the staff still prioritize true telescopic observing above all else. “We’re in business to put people eyeball to the universe,” says E. C. Krupp, director of the observatory. “That’s what Colonel Griffith originally intended, when he conceived of a public observatory and left money in his will for it.”

Since 1935 (except for a five-year break in the early 2000s for renovations and

expansions), Griffith has entranced visitors, especially locals, with its stately white walls and active approach to astronomy that casts each visitor as an observer. “The architec-ture, the exhibits, the planetarium … all of this is really designed to make people fall in love with the sky, astronomy, and the place,” Krupp explains. “And in fact Griffith really is one of the most affectionately regarded places in Los Angeles. Everybody knows they own it; it’s municipal.”

With anywhere between hundreds of people on a slow night and thousands on special occasions, the numbers sup-port Krupp’s assessment of its popularity. Located high on its hill, the observa-tory requires a little dedication to visit, but sky lovers flock there nonetheless. Griffith boasts a 12-inch Zeiss refrac-tor, and Krupp is proud to tell me that more people have looked through it than any other telescope in the world. Every night when the skies are clear, portable

Chicago’s busy Millennium Park attracts many visitors who are happy to stop and try out some telescope observing. ADLER PLANETARIUM



CITY SCOPES

he day had been fine and clear, with the Sun shining brightly over Lake Michigan. But as twi-light now descends, fog rises up to smear out the Chicago sky-

line. Undaunted, Michelle Nichols, a mas-ter educator with the Adler Planetarium, continues to unpack her Dobsonian telescope, centering it squarely between the bright lights of the library parking lot. Nearby, volunteer astronomers set up binoculars on a tripod and a small go-to scope, all of them pointed at the only vis-ible target: the Moon.

As darkness deepens, visitors appear. A young woman shows up with a male com-panion in tow. “I’m so excited,” she says. “I saw this announcement in the neigh-borhood bulletin, and I texted everybody.” Saturn finally peeks through the gloom, and Nichols turns her scope on the ringed giant, bringing it into focus.

“Okay,” she tells the young woman, stepping back. “Go ahead.”

She leans over and her face lights up. From behind the eyepiece, she exclaims, “This is the best day of my life!”

Megan Gorzkowski, like most of the other visitors, has never looked through a telescope before, though she says she has long been a space fan. But the star party came right to her neighborhood tonight. So for roughly an hour and a half, she hangs

out and mingles with the astronomers. And she isn’t alone. Most of the more than two dozen attendees, whose ages range from a few months to past middle age, stick around for the duration of the event.

The limited seeing doesn’t seem to bother them. They ask about the motor on the go-to scope, the Dob’s Lazy Susan base, and the backgrounds of the astrono-mers gathered around. They duck in for second, third, and fourth looks at Saturn and its rings. Nichols encourages them to steer the Dob on their own to follow Saturn’s surprisingly swift path, and they pan around the Moon’s surface, learning words like “ray” and “terminator.”

If you ever find yourself lamenting the dearth of new blood in astronomy: This is how you fix it.

Dark sites are great for veteran observers, but when throwing

a star party for new friends, go where the people are.

by Korey Haynes

T

Korey Haynes is an Astronomy associate editor with a passion for public outreach. Previously, she volunteered with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and Project Astro.

The landmark Griffith Observatory was always intended as a place Angelenos could have as their personal connection to the stars. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY


If you’re pessimistic about observing targets, it’s true that deep-sky objects will be mostly out of reach in the city (though even at dark sites, newcomers often are disappointed that visual observing can’t attain the glowing colors that Hubble reveals). But not even the Big Apple can drown out the brilliance of Saturn with its flaring rings. It’s impossible to look at the Moon the same way after poring across its surface with just binoculars. And these simple celestial wonders shine extra bright for urban crowds accustomed to seeing only a handful of stars when they glance up at their night skies.

Even in America’s biggest, most light-polluted cities, astronomy lovers reach out to each other to share their passion, as well as some surprisingly nice telescopes.

Hollywood starsLos Angeles, CAWhatever your thoughts on city observ-ing, one place should spring to mind immediately: Griffith Observatory reigns as the most popular in the world, with more than a million visitors per year. Perched just above the smog and lights of Los Angeles, a stone’s throw from the famed Hollywood Sign, Griffith has since its inception not just tolerated its urban status, but embraced it. But even with a state-of-the-art planetarium and plenty of museum-style exhibit space, the staff still prioritize true telescopic observing above all else. “We’re in business to put people eyeball to the universe,” says E. C. Krupp, director of the observatory. “That’s what Colonel Griffith originally intended, when he conceived of a public observatory and left money in his will for it.”

Since 1935 (except for a five-year break in the early 2000s for renovations and

expansions), Griffith has entranced visitors, especially locals, with its stately white walls and active approach to astronomy that casts each visitor as an observer. “The architec-ture, the exhibits, the planetarium … all of this is really designed to make people fall in love with the sky, astronomy, and the place,” Krupp explains. “And in fact Griffith really is one of the most affectionately regarded places in Los Angeles. Everybody knows they own it; it’s municipal.”

With anywhere between hundreds of people on a slow night and thousands on special occasions, the numbers sup-port Krupp’s assessment of its popularity. Located high on its hill, the observa-tory requires a little dedication to visit, but sky lovers flock there nonetheless. Griffith boasts a 12-inch Zeiss refrac-tor, and Krupp is proud to tell me that more people have looked through it than any other telescope in the world. Every night when the skies are clear, portable

Chicago’s busy Millennium Park attracts many visitors who are happy to stop and try out some telescope observing. ADLER PLANETARIUM


telescopes dot the lawn and once a month, the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and Planetary Society members join in as well to host star parties. Even and especially when sky events occur that would be visible anywhere — eclipses, comets, or the 2012 Venus transit — visitors appear at Griffith in droves. “The observatory is sensed as a place you can make contact,” Krupp says. “Something special happens here.”

Guerilla astronomyNew York City, NYIf Griffith is about making a pilgrim-age to astronomy, New York takes the opposite tack. The Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) brings their telescopes to the people, engaging in guerilla-style stargazing to find pedestrians in neighbor-hoods all across the city. Their favorite spots include High Line Park and Lincoln Center, both well traveled, brightly lit areas that are no one’s idea of a great observing site — at least by traditional thinking.

Ten years ago, the club would meet in the darkest spots they could find in the city — hilltops far uptown, even cemeter-ies, relying on would-be observers follow-ing “breadcrumbs,” such as balloons tied to park benches, in order to find the tele-scopes. “But it was still urban observing,” complains Marcelo Cabrera, the club’s president. “It was a darker area, but that also made it perhaps more unsafe and inaccessible.” Their novel approach began in 2009, with the International Year of

Astronomy. “We just told our members to go out, let us know where you’re going to be, but don’t go farther than two, three blocks from where you live,” he says. “And most people said, ‘Well there are a lot of people there, and streetlights.’ Perfect! That’s what we want! We’re going to do the experiment.”

By any reasonable metric, the experi-ment worked. Cabrera reports a few thou-sand visitors every Friday and Saturday night when the weather is good. Many are tourists, adding a star party to an activity list that also might include walking through Times Square or taking in a Broadway show. But the locals also show up in force, some of them even becoming regulars, though Cabrera admits they have far more attendees than dues-paying club members.

The AAA’s reach is enormous. In addi-tion to weekly observing sessions scattered across the city, it still holds bigger annual star parties and special events, as well as trekking outside the city to hold dark sky events for its more dedicated members. The crowds keep the AAA busy, but Cabrera says members and visitors both enjoy the new normal. Members find themselves viewing the same urban-limited targets they used to, but with far greater impact and without the strain of carting telescopes up muddy hills or venturing into dark cor-ners of the city. And newcomers find the club more easily — stumble across it, in fact, allowing the AAA to recruit people who never knew an astronomy club was an option in the heart of Manhattan.

Lone starFort Worth, TXBut how do you turn these one-time visi-tors into regular astronomers? Visitors to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History provided their own solution according to Sarah Twidal, who manages their monthly star parties with the help of the Fort Worth Astronomical Society.

“A lot of people bring out their telescopes and they’ve never used them before,” she says. “They’ve been sitting in a closet pick-ing up dust. The astronomers will just jump up and help put them together, figure out how to use them. That’s increased our return visits greatly. A lot of people who come are regulars, who started to love this place because they’ve been lent a helping hand by the local astronomy society.”

Outreach is actually a foundational com-ponent of the club. In 1947, a retired math teacher named Charlie Mary Noble founded the Junior Astronomy Club at what was then called the Fort Worth Children’s Museum. A self-taught astronomer, Noble led weekly meetings where students observed and recorded the skies. She put together a lend-ing library of telescopes and formed a team for Project Moonwatch (a nationwide effort

New York City’s Amateur Astronomers Association is more often seen in high-traffic areas like Lincoln Center. But cemeteries remain prime urban “dark” sites for special occasions. STAN HONDA

to track Sputnik and other Soviet satellites). The current astronomical society grew out of her club and maintains its close ties with the museum, as well as her supportive and inclusive example.

“People are intimidated by astronomy,” observes Bruce Cowles, president of the

astronomical society. He combats this feel-ing by encouraging all visitors to ask ques-tions. “We love talking about this stuff, so we don’t mind talking about it to you, ever … To see people so excited keeps us excited.”

And if the subject matter intimidates some, the mechanically disinclined can be

equally wary. “The equipment is also intimidating,” Cowles adds. In addition to helping new observers set up and under-stand their equipment, his club also stresses that you can enjoy the hobby with-out straining your purse strings. “We don’t want to be telescope snobs,” he says. His club utilizes tiny Dobsonians that can perch on picnic tables and binoculars on tripods, as well as reflectors from 8 to 12 inches, a large refractor, and often a home-made scope or two. “We try to have a range, so people don’t think they have to spend a fortune,” Cowles explains.

Their consideration seems to be paying off. The club is growing rapidly, with new members almost every month and an active Young Astronomers Club that carries on the heart of Charlie Mary Noble’s mission.

Southern skiesAtlanta, GANot all astronomy clubs are as naturally dedicated to servicing the broader commu-nity. In Atlanta, Fernbank Science Center had to defend its 36-inch Cassegrain reflector from an understandably covet-ous astronomy club who wanted to see the telescope relocated to darker skies some 95 miles outside the city. But nearby Agnes Scott College provided a cautionary tale. The school relocated their 30-inch telescope to a remote site to escape light pollution, only to find that its use plum-meted, as even astronomy students tired of the long commute. They eventually moved it back to campus, where it now enjoys both public and academic use.

Ed Albin, who has been an astronomer with Fernbank since 1988, was keen to pre-vent history from repeating itself. “We lis-tened to [the astronomy club’s] request,” he says, and acknowledges the obvious allure of a large-aperture, public telescope under dark skies. But for him, the decision to keep the instrument at the science center was an easy one. “We know that the public really would not go out there on a regular basis,” he says. “We wouldn’t captivate children and families like we do here in the city.”

While the standard urban-attainable targets of the Moon and planets figure prominently in the museum’s observing repertoire, 36 inches, even in Atlanta, also reaches not just the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and bright globular clusters, but even planetary nebulae like the Ring Nebula (M57) and the Ghost of Jupiter (NGC 3242).

The observatory is open every Thursday and Friday evening and sees between 100 and 200 visitors a night, though thousands

Observing in New York City can involve peeking between buildings, in addi-tion to normal sky-watching weather concerns. But the high rates of participation outweigh the meager ben-efits of oxymoronic “dark sky urban observing.” MARCELO CABRERA

John McCrea, a member of the Fort Worth Astronomical Society, sets up a telescope for solar observ-ing, a popular option for urban skywatching. CHIP TOMPKINS, COURTESY FT. WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY


may appear for special occasions. For the 2003 opposition of Mars, Albin recalls opening the observatory when the Red Planet rose. “We shut down when we lost it in the trees in the west around 5 a.m. and we still had literally hundreds of people.”

Stars and stripesWashington, D.C.On the other hand, as with the other obser-vatories and science centers, Fernbank’s guests have already made the first step toward becoming an observer simply by choosing to visit. “When you have a public night, when they come to you, these are people who already think astronomy is for them,” explains Shauna Edson, an educa-tor with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory. “When you go outside the observatory, you get a totally different group of people. The beauty of it is that it’s a sur-prise. The sidewalk astronomy element is exactly that they find you unexpectedly.”

She should know. Their program has a bit of both approaches. The observatory nestles close to the museum’s Washington, D.C., location and houses a 16-inch tele-scope that once belonged to Harvard College Observatory and is now on indefi-nite loan to the museum. Wednesdays through Sundays, museum-goers can augment their visit with solar observing. And by sitting right on busy Independence Avenue, only a block off the National Mall and in the heart of the cluster of other Smithsonian buildings, the observatory attracts plenty of foot traffic — at least during daylight hours.

“It’s not a place you really want to hang out in at night,” Edson admits. The neigh-borhood isn’t among D.C.’s worst by any means, but residential and dining options are nearly nonexistent, so when the museum crowds disperse for the night, the observatory’s visitors also tend to evaporate.

The museum’s semiregular series of evening talks entices some of them back. Visitors can use the 16-inch scope to view Jupiter, Saturn, or perhaps a bright star cluster, and volunteers also bring out smaller telescopes to join in the fun. Some observers are regulars, fans of the museum and stargazing, and thrilled to have such a resource in their own city. Many are tour-ists from around the world.

But without such special events, pedes-trians are in short supply. And the resource cost to keep the museum open so long after hours is a strain. So the observatory is in the process of launching their own guerilla

astronomy program, planning to bring their portable telescopes on the metro and strike areas like busy residential Arlington, or the well-traveled and bustling Navy Memorial or Chinatown — locations with metro access and lots of evening foot traffic.

The high ratio of tourists to locals at the museum makes it impossible to track how many star party attendees find their way back to a telescope in the future. But the wonder and excitement they so obviously display makes it clear the organizers have shared something special with them, whether that manifests in a newfound interest in observing, a general affection for space and science, or simply a sense of wonder and beauty in the universe.

Sweet home ChicagoChicago, ILBack in Chicago, Nichols hands out free passes to the Adler Planetarium to anyone who stops by the star party, hoping to encourage more than a one-time interest in the cosmos. The landmark planetarium is halfway through renovations on their 20-inch Doane telescope, which looks out over the lake. The observatory now boasts viewing screens and easier access, and upgraded electronics are forthcom-ing. Volunteers are coming up to speed as fast as Adler can train them on the Doane, which is equipped during the day for solar viewing and open whenever they have cooperative weather and the staff to operate it.

“ ’Scopes in the City,” the name given to these frequently occurring star parties, continues to pick up steam. “Last year we only had four events in our pilot program,” Nichols says. “This year we have 25 on the books, extending our reach into communi-ties that may not have access to experiences such as this.”

Michelle Nichols helps young astronomers look through telescopes to observe the Sun and stars across Chicagoland neighborhoods. ADLER PLANETARIUM

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s public observatory in Washington, D.C., uses small tele-scopes to supplement its 16-inch instrument for observing events. ERIC LONG (SMITHSONIAN)

By day, the Smithsonian’s public observatory volunteers show visitors the Sun via a projection screen attached to the 16-inch telescope. ERIC LONG (SMITHSONIAN)


may appear for special occasions. For the 2003 opposition of Mars, Albin recalls opening the observatory when the Red Planet rose. “We shut down when we lost it in the trees in the west around 5 a.m. and we still had literally hundreds of people.”

Stars and stripesWashington, D.C.On the other hand, as with the other obser-vatories and science centers, Fernbank’s guests have already made the first step toward becoming an observer simply by choosing to visit. “When you have a public night, when they come to you, these are people who already think astronomy is for them,” explains Shauna Edson, an educa-tor with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory. “When you go outside the observatory, you get a totally different group of people. The beauty of it is that it’s a sur-prise. The sidewalk astronomy element is exactly that they find you unexpectedly.”

She should know. Their program has a bit of both approaches. The observatory nestles close to the museum’s Washington, D.C., location and houses a 16-inch tele-scope that once belonged to Harvard College Observatory and is now on indefi-nite loan to the museum. Wednesdays through Sundays, museum-goers can augment their visit with solar observing. And by sitting right on busy Independence Avenue, only a block off the National Mall and in the heart of the cluster of other Smithsonian buildings, the observatory attracts plenty of foot traffic — at least during daylight hours.

“It’s not a place you really want to hang out in at night,” Edson admits. The neigh-borhood isn’t among D.C.’s worst by any means, but residential and dining options are nearly nonexistent, so when the museum crowds disperse for the night, the observatory’s visitors also tend to evaporate.

The museum’s semiregular series of evening talks entices some of them back. Visitors can use the 16-inch scope to view Jupiter, Saturn, or perhaps a bright star cluster, and volunteers also bring out smaller telescopes to join in the fun. Some observers are regulars, fans of the museum and stargazing, and thrilled to have such a resource in their own city. Many are tour-ists from around the world.

But without such special events, pedes-trians are in short supply. And the resource cost to keep the museum open so long after hours is a strain. So the observatory is in the process of launching their own guerilla

astronomy program, planning to bring their portable telescopes on the metro and strike areas like busy residential Arlington, or the well-traveled and bustling Navy Memorial or Chinatown — locations with metro access and lots of evening foot traffic.

The high ratio of tourists to locals at the museum makes it impossible to track how many star party attendees find their way back to a telescope in the future. But the wonder and excitement they so obviously display makes it clear the organizers have shared something special with them, whether that manifests in a newfound interest in observing, a general affection for space and science, or simply a sense of wonder and beauty in the universe.

Sweet home ChicagoChicago, ILBack in Chicago, Nichols hands out free passes to the Adler Planetarium to anyone who stops by the star party, hoping to encourage more than a one-time interest in the cosmos. The landmark planetarium is halfway through renovations on their 20-inch Doane telescope, which looks out over the lake. The observatory now boasts viewing screens and easier access, and upgraded electronics are forthcom-ing. Volunteers are coming up to speed as fast as Adler can train them on the Doane, which is equipped during the day for solar viewing and open whenever they have cooperative weather and the staff to operate it.

“ ’Scopes in the City,” the name given to these frequently occurring star parties, continues to pick up steam. “Last year we only had four events in our pilot program,” Nichols says. “This year we have 25 on the books, extending our reach into communi-ties that may not have access to experiences such as this.”

Michelle Nichols helps young astronomers look through telescopes to observe the Sun and stars across Chicagoland neighborhoods. ADLER PLANETARIUM

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s public observatory in Washington, D.C., uses small tele-scopes to supplement its 16-inch instrument for observing events. ERIC LONG (SMITHSONIAN)

By day, the Smithsonian’s public observatory volunteers show visitors the Sun via a projection screen attached to the 16-inch telescope. ERIC LONG (SMITHSONIAN)

America’s network of national parks has been an inspiration and model for conservation and recreation to the world for the last 100 years.

This year as we celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service, Celestron is reflecting on its proud history of support and partnership with America’s most cherished lands and their stewards working to promote outdoor recreation and conservation for the enjoyment of all.

Bridging the gap between land and sky, Celestron has also partnered with the International Dark-Sky Association in an effort to bring awareness to the issue of light pollution. As some of the last vestiges of dark skies in America, the national parks serve as a refuge and stronghold, a symbol of unspoiled nature and humanity’s shared heritage.

The National Park Foundation Since 2014 Celestron has partnered with the National Park Foundation and created a line of official NPF licensed telescopes, sport optics and outdoor electronics in support of America’s national parks. Purchases of Celestron’s National Park Foundation products support the preservation of America’s national parks.

celestron.com/npf

Proud Supporter of

Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival Utah, June 1-4

Badlands Astronomy Festival South Dakota, July 8-10

Sequoia Dark Sky Festival California, August 5-7

Acadia Night Sky Festival Maine, September 22-25

Great Basin Astronomy Festival Nevada, September 29-October 1

CELESTRON IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

Celestron in America’s National Parks 2016


As a fledgling program, it’s hard to say yet what effect ’Scopes in the City is hav-ing on Chicagoland neighborhoods and their residents. But at one point, two visi-tors almost simultaneously approached Nichols from opposite sides, wanting to know when and where the next event will be held. For them, at least, the astronomy bug had bitten.

Adler’s ’Scopes in the City exemplifies the best way to attract newcomers to any hobby: Be friendly. Be convenient. The for-mer simply requires remembering what it was once like to be inexperienced at a new hobby and uncertain of your welcome in a strange community. As to the latter, what’s more convenient than finding people where most of them live?

Whether you’re an Astronomy reader who has yet to try observing first hand, or a veteran observer who wants to make some new friends, consider heading down-town. Despite the bright lights, the nearest star party may be closer than you think.

FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STARGAZING IN THE CITIES AT www.Astronomy.com/toc.

The Adler Planetarium and its 20-inch Doane telescope (lower right), occupy possibly the loveliest real estate in Chicago’s Museum Park. Residents consider the glare of nearby down-town a fair trade for easy access to the stars without ever leaving the city. ADLER PLANETARIUM

Chicago’s Adler Planetarium also brings portable telescopes to neighborhoods across the city, though the largest crowds are easier to find at landmarks like Millennium Park. ADLER PLANETARIUM

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