Where in the U.S. can you see stars the best? In the rest of the world?
2006-12-13 03:41:05 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Get as far away from city lights as possible and go to the top of a mountain. I had some great stargazing on top of a mountain in West Virginia, in the Monongahela National Forest.
2006-12-13 03:44:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first source is a world map of light pollution. Find the darkest part of the map that is also near you.
The second source is an astronomical weather site. You can pick one of the clear sky clocks near you and then in the nifty links section below it click on the Light Pollution Map to get a zoomed in version of the above map for that local area.
The best area near me is the big bend national park area. All the really dark areas in the US are west of the Mississippi.
As you may have gathered, darkness is the key. But clear skies are needed too. If it is hazy or cloudy all the time, the place in no good. The clear sky clocks will tell you how clear the sky is expected to be for 2 days, but I don't know any site that will give you historical averages. If there is a site you are considering, I suggest you check its clear sky clock regularly.
2006-12-13 11:47:45 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same places you'll see astronomers. Try Kitt Peak in Arizona (or any surrounding mountains - Hopkins, Bigelow, Lemmon) or Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
Other popular sites: Cerro Tololo and La Silla (both in Chile), La Palma in Spain.
2006-12-13 11:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋