Is there any place in the US that you can see the night sky clearly?

Question

I'm from Australia, and i've always been able to see the stars easily. My husband and i are moving to america though, and i want to be able to keep the stars as a memory, as they all have really special meanings. But, i've been told there's many places that you can barely see the stars, and i was wondering, is there anywhere you can see them clearly that's not right out in the country?

We see stars in any town in australia. Apart from the capitals, everywhere else it is clear.

Answer 1

Although the light pollution is severe in most American cities, there are always places one can go to see a dark sky, though these are more common west of the Mississippi. One way to find out is to go to the web site below, choose the city you're moving to, and click on the Light Pollution link. This will give you a detailed map of light pollution in that area, and let you locate darker sites to visit in order to see the stars.

I live in Canada, but in Southern Ontario, which is as densely populated as the Eastern USA. I lived in Toronto (6 million people) for years, and carried out astronomical observations regularly with a limiting magnitude around 3.5. Now I live on a farm, and the limiting magnitude is around 6.5.

Answer 2

You have to be far enough from streetlights and other sources of light that overwhelm your eyes, so that leaves out cities and their suburbs. What's left is what is usually referred to as rural or "the country." What do you call the part of Australia where you can do the same? The Outback? We have them here, and their steaks are good, if not their Republican politics, but I have yet to see stars from there!

In a different vein, you can see a number of stars when they appear in Las Vegas, and they also have a minor league baseball team by that name (the Las Vegas Stars).

The stars you will have the most difficulty seeing are those that are only as bright as the people who give thumbs down for dissing Republican traitors.

Answer 3

Yes, when I lived in the country, near the hill country in central Texas... on a clear night, you can see the band of the Milky Way. Its breathtaking! Like sparkeling diamonds on black velvet.
If you are near a city, the lights obscure the stars, and of course, sometimes the smog does to.
But, out in the country... away from the lights... the stars will still be there for you... and you get to learn some new constellations!
Welcome to America!

Answer 4

Yes, there are many such places. None of these places is in or near a major city, though. I live in a town of about 70,000 people, and the stars are not easily seen unless I go out of town.

Answer 5

You can see stars here too, just not as many as in the country due to light pollution.

You can't, for example, see the Milky Way in a city or even a town.

Answer 6

As long as you're not in any major city you'll be fine. MOST of the US is open space. I'd stay away from the East Coast, it's pretty much city stacked upon city. All the middle and western states have great expanses of beautiful wilderness and small towns.

Answer 7

the farther away you get from the big cities, the clearer the sky gets.

I live in Chicago and can barely see them. If I travel 20 miles west, the difference is dramatic. Even more clear if I go farther.

Answer 8

recently took a trip by vehicle across the US... the nights in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona took my breath away.... I'd never seen the sky so deep with so many stars!!!.... back home, I own a telescope, but balk at having to pack it up and go thirty or forty miles into the mountains in order to USE IT!!....

Answer 9

Yess you just have to be far enough from any source of light

Answer 10

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