Where are the best places in the Western US for the novice to stargaze?

Question

I’m looking for a short list of the best places in the West (California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska) for the novice or family to go stargazing. Any ideas? These places should be fairly accessible to the average family and offer facilities or programs for the stargazing beginner/novice. These places can be observatories, national parks, dark but accessible regions, star parties/events, etc.

Second, I’m looking for a longer list of places specifically for California.

Finally, are there any important astronomical events happening in January or February that novices should know about (Mars, meteor shower, etc.)?

Thank you for your ideas!!

Oops - I really enjoy AZ! No slight intended!!

The list is:
(California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska)

Answer 1

You might want to join an astronomy club?

Go step by step to spread out the amazingness more. For example, first go to Griffith Observatory, then go to the Mount Wilson Observatory, then the nearest Channel Island, (then Mount Palomar if they let you) Mount Pinos (the 'n' has a tilde), then (if you still feel like it) the northern Black Rock Desert mountains, a few hours inside Baja California, or the anti-Los Angelest, anti-Vegasest corner of the Mojave Desert is the darkest it can get on the planet. 6000ft - 9000ft above sea level is the darkest elevation.


(True, Mars is coming up in winter and Jan 4 has Quadrantids meteors)

Make sure it's New Moon.

Answer 2

The Lovell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona would make a great spot,at least Percival Lowell thought so when he searched the world over before settling there. And it is also a piece of history as it is where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto.

I live in Hawaii, just about anywhere on the Big Island would be great. The worlds greatest telescopes are here for a reason. Actually anywhere in Hawaii except Oahu, too many lights in Honolulu.

Answer 3

The best view in the world is the top of Mona Lowa in Hawaii. Just drive up there and observe next to the actual observatories.
It is on the big island of Hawaii. The way the atmospherics work would give the clearest view anywhere. That is why they built the observatories ther in the first place.
As a general rule, go gazing next to observatories. The observatories already did the work to find a good place free of light pollution and they built the road to the place.

Answer 4

Here's a long list of star parties for 2008. Not just western ones, but a lot of them are. I have been to the Table Mountain Star Party ( http://www.tmspa.com/ ) near Ellensburg Washington and the Oregon Star Party ( http://www.oregonstarparty.org/ ). Both are novice-friendly and have programs for both adults and kids. You should also check at skyandtelescope.com ( http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations ) and find your nearest astronomy club for local options. Most national parks have good stargazing areas, and you can often get recommendations from a ranger as to where the best spots in the park are. Mars will be at its closest in December but should still be good for viewing in January.

Answer 5

Your list didn't include AZ which is where a lot of the important telescopes are. The mountains in a ring 30 to 60 miles around Tucson are the best. They include Kitt Peak and Mt. Hopkins.

Answer 6

the better, the extra proper, the darker, the extra proper, the extra distance you may positioned between you and the city, the extra proper. stay remote from lighting fixtures fixtures of any type, they wash out the celebrities and that they smash your nighttime resourceful and prescient. The Moon isn't your buddy till it quite is what you prefer to look at. i'm particular that there are numerous places in Colorado that ought to fulfill those specs.

Answer 7

Any place away from light pollution on a clear night.