Greta Jimenez
Light pollution is a common issue for astronomers and astrophotographers, as well as anyone who wants to stargaze. Light pollution is caused by a bright, blurry dome of light over cities that prevents starlight from shining through. However, there are ways to escape light pollution and find dark skies. The Bortle scale is a nine-level numeric scale that measures the amount of light pollution in a given location, with Bortle class 1 being the least amount of light pollution and class 9 being the most. To escape light pollution, it is recommended to find a Bortle class 5 location or lower and put some distance between yourself and population centres. Mountains can also help to block light pollution, so finding a spot with mountains between you and a city can improve your view of the night sky. Websites and apps can help you find locations with low light pollution, and some even provide Bortle ratings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Darkness of the sky | The darker the sky, the better for observing faint stars and meteors. |
| Distance from population centers | The amount of light pollution decreases as you move farther away from population centers. |
| Direction | Light pollution is cumulative, so it is worse closer to developed areas. Spinning around to face a different direction can reveal a darker sky. |
| Altitude | Higher altitudes offer clearer skies as you rise above the dense, low-altitude air that contains haze, fog, and smoke that obstructs your view. |
| Landscape | A dark sky far from city lights is ideal, but deep canyons or dense forests can obstruct your view of the night sky. |
| Moon brightness | A bright moon can create a lot of skyglow, making it difficult to observe faint stars and other celestial objects. The best time for stargazing is two weeks before and after the new moon phase. |
| Tools | Websites and apps provide maps of light pollution and Bortle ratings to help you find darker locations. |
| Filters | Special filters are required to image in areas with heavy light pollution, but your options are limited. |
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What You'll Learn
Head to higher altitudes
If you're looking to escape light pollution, heading to higher altitudes can be a great strategy. Light pollution is caused by a combination of unwanted light sources and atmospheric conditions that reflect and scatter light. The lowest regions of the atmosphere, closest to the ground, tend to have the highest humidity and most particles, making them the worst offenders for light pollution.
By going to higher altitudes, you can get above this dense, polluted layer of air and enjoy clearer, less polluted skies. The thinner air and reduced atmospheric scattering at higher altitudes offer better stargazing conditions, allowing you to see stars and celestial objects that might otherwise be obscured by light pollution.
However, it's important to note that even at higher altitudes, light pollution from distant cities can still be noticeable. The distance from light sources is still a crucial factor, so try to find locations that are both elevated and far from major population centers.
For example, you could consider mountainous areas, such as the Sierra Crest at over 10,000 feet, where you can position yourself above the light pollution of nearby cities. Alternatively, if you can find a mountain campground under a moderately dark sky (Bortle class 4), you might be able to enjoy darker skies in a specific direction, such as looking towards the ocean.
Keep in mind that light pollution maps can be a useful tool, but they may not always account for altitude differences. So, if you have a choice between two locations at different altitudes but similar distances from light pollution sources, it might be worth trying them both out to see which offers the darkest skies for stargazing.
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Travel to remote spots
Travelling to remote spots is a surefire way to escape light pollution. The Bortle scale is a useful tool for understanding light pollution levels, with class 1 being the least light-polluted (remote areas like deserts) and class 9 being the most light-polluted (downtown in a major city).
To find these pristine Bortle class 1 skies, you may need to venture to remote locations, often requiring long drives. The western United States, for example, offers numerous Bortle class 1 zones within a few hours' drive of major cities. These locations provide the darkest skies possible on Earth, revealing the full beauty of the cosmos.
When planning your trip, consider using light pollution maps to identify the Bortle class of your intended destination. Websites and apps are available that provide such maps, helping you make informed decisions about your stargazing journey.
Remember, the key to escaping light pollution is distance from population centres. Aim for spots at least 20 to 30 miles from city limits. Additionally, higher altitudes can improve your viewing experience by elevating you above the dense, haze-filled air of low altitudes. Mountains can also help block light pollution, so consider positioning yourself with a ridge of mountains between you and the city.
If you're willing to travel far and embrace the adventure of exploring remote locations, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the night sky, free from the glow of light pollution.
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Use light pollution maps
Light pollution maps are a great tool to help you find dark sky spots to get away from light pollution. These maps use different scales to indicate the level of light pollution in a given area. One such scale is the Bortle scale, which ranges from Class 1 (pitch black) to Class 9 (heavily light-polluted). The higher the Bortle class, the brighter the sky, and the fewer stars you'll be able to see.
There are several websites and apps that provide light pollution maps with Bortle ratings. For example, LightPollutionMap.app combines light pollution levels with geographical data to help users locate ideal spots for Milky Way observation and astrophotography. The website is optimized for mobile devices and is free to use. It also provides an Aurora probability map with a real-time northern lights forecast. Additionally, the website offers a Chinese version at Darkmap.cn.
Another useful resource is Dark Site Finder, which provides a map with a light pollution overlay. This map uses data from David Lorenz, who processes satellite information from the Earth Observation Group at the Colorado School of Mines.
When using light pollution maps to find dark sky locations, it's important to consider other factors that can impact your experience. For instance, the moon's brightness can affect your ability to see faint stars and objects in the sky. The two weeks before and after the new moon phase are ideal for stargazing, as the moon is either absent or sets shortly after sunset. Additionally, finding a viewing location at a higher altitude can improve your sky visibility by reducing the impact of haze, fog, and smoke.
By utilizing light pollution maps and considering factors like moon brightness and altitude, you can effectively plan your escape from light pollution and enjoy a breathtaking view of the night sky.
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Find a Bortle 1 zone
The Bortle dark-sky scale, or Bortle scale, is a nine-level numeric scale that measures the night sky's brightness at a particular location. It was created by amateur astronomer John E. Bortle and published in the February 2001 edition of Sky & Telescope magazine. The scale ranges from Class 1, the darkest skies available on Earth, to Class 9, the most light-polluted inner-city skies.
Bortle 1 zones are locations with the darkest skies on Earth. In these areas, you can see your shadow by starlight and don't need a flashlight to see in the dark. The usual constellations become unrecognizable in a sea of stars, and a handful of satellites become visible at any given time overhead, with random meteors zipping by every few minutes. Many objects that would typically require a larger scope to see become observable with the naked eye or binoculars.
Finding a Bortle 1 zone can be challenging, as it often requires travelling to remote locations far from population centres. Here are some tips to find a Bortle 1 zone:
- Use websites and apps that provide maps of light pollution and Bortle ratings to identify potential locations.
- Look for areas that are at least 20 to 30 miles from the nearest city. The farther you go, the darker the skies will be.
- Consider the landscape: avoid deep canyons or dense forests that may obstruct your view of the sky.
- If possible, find a viewing location a couple of thousand feet above the surrounding area. Higher altitudes offer clearer skies as you rise above the dense air at low altitudes that contain hazes, fog, and smoke that can mask your view of the stars.
- If you live near mountains, use them to your advantage. Putting a ridge of mountains between you and the city can help block light pollution.
- Plan your trip around the moon's phases. The best time for stargazing is during the two weeks before and after the new moon phase when the moon is either absent or sets shortly after sunset. Avoid the week before and after the full moon, as the bright moonlight can create a lot of skyglow, making it harder to see faint stars and objects.
Some specific locations that have been mentioned as Bortle 1 zones include Steens Mountain in Oregon, USA, and central Colorado, USA, at 10,000 feet elevation. Additionally, one person from New Zealand mentioned having Bortle 1 zones within a day's drive from their home.
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Drive away from the lights
Driving away from light pollution is a great way to escape its effects and get a better view of the night sky. Light pollution is a cumulative effect, so the further you drive away from developed areas, the less light pollution you will experience. For example, driving 45 minutes out of the city and into the mountainous desert can help you escape light pollution.
There are several ways to optimise your drive away from light pollution. Firstly, you should aim to drive at least 20 to 30 miles from the city limits. This will ensure that you are far away from the population centres that are the main source of light pollution. In fact, some people have reported that driving 30 miles out was enough to see a phenomenal view of the stars, even if the glow of the city was still faintly visible.
Secondly, you should consider driving to a higher altitude. This is because the dense air at low altitudes contains hazes, fog, and smoke that can mask your view of the stars. If you can get to a viewing location a couple of thousand feet above the surrounding area, you will be rewarded with clearer skies.
Thirdly, consider putting a ridge of mountains between you and the city. This can help to block light and make a big difference to your night sky viewing experience. Alternatively, you can try to get to the other side of a large body of water, as this can also improve the darkness of the sky.
Finally, you should be aware that the brightness of the moon can also affect your stargazing experience. The best time to observe the stars is during the two weeks before and after the new moon phase, when the moon is either absent from the night sky or sets within a couple of hours after sunset.
By following these tips, you can effectively drive away from light pollution and find a great spot for stargazing.
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Frequently asked questions
The key to escaping light pollution is to get as far away from population centres as possible. A good rule of thumb is to get at least 20 to 30 miles away from the city limits.
There are many websites and apps that provide maps of light pollution and Bortle ratings, which indicate how light-polluted a location is. One such website is lightpollutionmap.info, where you can search for your location to find out its Bortle rating.
The Bortle scale is a 9-level scale that measures the amount of light pollution in a given location, with class 1 being the least light-polluted and class 9 being the most light-polluted. Most people live in locations that fall between classes 1 and 9, with a class 5 being an average suburban sky.
In addition to finding a dark sky location, you can also try to get to a higher altitude, as this will help you get above the dense air at low altitudes that contains hazes, fog, and smoke that can obscure your view of the stars. You can also try to put a ridge of mountains between you and the city, as this can help block out light pollution.
Some places that are known for their dark skies and lack of light pollution include Big Bend National Park in Texas, the Blue Mountains in Australia, and northern Maine in the eastern United States.
