Finding Dark Sky Astronomy Sites

One of the biggest upgrades I ever made to my stargazing setup didn’t involve new gear; it was simply finding darker skies. Light pollution can wash out even the brightest deep-sky objects, so learning how to scout truly dark locations has made a huge difference in what I’m able to see.

Once I started venturing out to darker skies, I realized that planning ahead is essential. Astronomy may be a peaceful hobby, but there’s still a lot to think about, especially when you’re heading out at night to unfamiliar or remote areas. Over time, I’ve picked up a few best practices to make sure each outing is both enjoyable and safe, and they’ve become second nature whenever I pack up the scope.

Of course, not every night is ideal for a trip out to the desert or mountains. Most of my observing happens right at home, under less-than-perfect skies. But that doesn’t mean I don’t get quality time with the stars. Over the years, I’ve found ways to make suburban astronomy work and filtering out the noise, both literally and figuratively and making peace with a little skyglow.

As I’ve grown more invested in astronomy, I’ve also become more aware of how fragile our access to the night sky really is. Light pollution isn’t just an inconvenience for stargazers; it’s a growing environmental issue that affects wildlife, ecosystems, and human well-being. Being an amateur astronomer has made me realize how important it is to protect the night and advocate for smart lighting practices wherever we can.

Why Dark Skies Matter:

In a very dark night sky (no Moon, far from city lights), the Milky Way arches overhead as a thick cloudy band, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye, and faint objects pop into view. In a city sky, by contrast, maybe only a handful of the brightest stars are visible and the sky background looks gray-orange. Astronomers use the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale to rate sky darkness from 1 to 9 – Class 1 is an “Excellent Dark Sky Site” (pristine conditions like a remote desert or high mountain), whereas Class 9 is an inner-city sky with severe light pollution.

Most of us live somewhere in between. For reference, a suburban backyard might be Bortle 5 or 6 (you can see some Milky Way on a good night, but it’s subdued), while just driving 30 minutes out of town might get you to a Bortle 4 or 3 area (rural sky, magnificent starry view). Seeking out darker skies will dramatically increase what you can see. Many deep-sky objects that are invisible in the city become detectable or even obvious under dark conditions.

Finding Dark Sky Sites:

Start by looking at a light pollution map. Websites and apps like DarkSiteFinder.com or LightPollutionMap.info show color-coded maps of sky brightness. They’ve even been updated with recent satellite data (e.g., the Dark Site Finder map lets you compare 2006 vs 2016 vs 2022 data). Sadly, the trend is that truly dark skies are becoming rarer, but the maps will help you locate pockets of darkness near you. Typically, you want to get away from bright city centers and avoid looking over the downtown area from your observing spot (for example, if your city is to your north, go north of it so the southern sky is clearer). State and National Parks often have great skies once you’re away from campgrounds.

Also, check for local astronomy club observing sites. Clubs often have an agreement with landowners or a park for members to use a field that’s safe, accessible, and dark. Some organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) certify International Dark Sky Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries – these are areas specifically recognized for their exceptional night skies and efforts in preservation. As of now, there are many such dark-sky places around the U.S. (for example: Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania, Big Bend National Park in Texas, Bryce Canyon in Utah, etc.). If you get a chance to visit one, do it! It’s an unforgettable experience for a stargazer. The IDA’s website has a “Find a Dark Sky Place” tool where you can search for certified locations by region.

When planning an outing, consider safety and practicality: ensure you have permission if it’s private land, never trespass (better to join a club if you’re unsure; they often handle permissions), and be prepared (bring what you need, let someone know where you’ll be). A red headlamp is crucial at these sites (white light is usually forbidden on dark sky fields to not ruin everyone’s night vision). It’s also good etiquette to shield car headlights or interior lights if you arrive/depart late. Experienced astronomers sometimes put red film over their car’s dome light or use parking lights when approaching a dark site.

Dealing with Light Pollution at Home:

You might not always be able to travel to darkness, so here are tips to make the best of a not-so-dark backyard:

• Shield local lights: If your neighbor’s porch light is a menace, politely ask if you can have it off for a couple hours (or offer to replace it with a motion-sensor or shielded fixture that doesn’t glare upward). In your own yard, turn off or shield any lights. Some observers use tall screens or tarps to block stray light (often called “light fences”).


• Observe later at night: Often, lights (and the sky itself) get better after midnight. Businesses turn off signage, many homes go dark, and if you wait until after midnight, the sky glow might diminish a bit. Also, the later hours mean the atmosphere might settle down.


• Choose targets wisely: Accept that from a city you won’t see the Horsehead Nebula, but you can still enjoy planets, double stars, the moon, and brighter star clusters. Save the faint fuzzies for trips to dark sites. Some objects are surprisingly resilient to light pollution; planetary nebulae, for example, often remain visible with an OIII filter even in town. And the Moon and planets are unaffected by light pollution (they’re bright enough that contrast isn’t an issue).


• Use filters: As mentioned earlier, a nebula filter can help when observing emission nebulae amid light pollution. It cuts out a lot of the city glow (which is broad-spectrum) while passing the specific wavelengths of nebulas. It won’t make a bright city sky dark, but it can turn an impossible observation into a possible one.


• Astrophotography note: If imaging from the city, you’ll likely use narrowband filters (Ha, OIII, SII) to capture nebulae or stick to short exposures and stacking for things like planets and the Moon. Many astrophotographers build observatories or setups at home in light-polluted areas but use filtering and processing to deal with the skyglow.

Understanding Light Pollution and Advocacy:

Light pollution not only hides the stars but also affects wildlife and human health. As a stargazer, you become an advocate for the night. You can encourage the use of shielded lighting (which directs light down to the ground where it’s needed, rather than up into the sky). Simple changes like using warmer, lower-intensity bulbs and installing motion sensors can make a difference. Communities have started adopting dark-sky friendly ordinances. Maybe get involved or support these initiatives. It feels good to know we’re helping “save the stars” for future generations.

Remember that phrase: The night sky is a natural resource for everyone. Seeing the Milky Way shouldn’t be a rare event!