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ETXer
member
Reged: 09/03/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Rockville, MD USA
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I've recently relocated to the northern DC suburb of Rockville, MD where there seems to be a moderate amount of light pollution. Does anyone know of any convenient, accessible, reasonably dark (and safe) areas for observing around this area? Thanks, Allan
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Allan
Celestron Celestar 8 Deluxe
Early 80's Celestron Orange Tube C8 w/ Byers Drive
Meade ETX 90EC
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candymancan
super member
Reged: 07/10/09
Posts: 149
Loc: Virginia
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DC isnt moderate it has severe light pollution. I live in Nothern Virginia 45 minutes to 1 hour away from D.C and the light pollution is still between a Orange and RED zone for me despite being that far away. I dont know any observing sights thats far up but perhaps the map i gave you can help find something outside that white zone. Look for a park or something. There are alot near by rockville
You are in a White Zone which is the worst
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/
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Nikon 10x50 Action Binoculars
Zhumell Z10 10" Dobsonian
Tasco 60mm Refractor
Edited by candymancan (10/29/09 12:16 PM)
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Plan9
sage
Reged: 01/28/08
Posts: 309
Loc: Northern VA
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Quote:
Rockville, MD where there seems to be a moderate amount of light pollution
As a newcomer, you were being polite, weren't you? 
Being in Northern VA, I know of a local club (NOVAC) that has access to a site at Sky Meadows State Park (yellow zone, a couple of notches better) and hosts occasional trips to a really dark site out in W Va.
That may not meet your definition of convenient - you might also try Google for clubs in MD that might be able to offer suggestions.
Hope that helps!
Bill
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Celestron 6SE
Celestron Onyx 80 EDF
Vixen Porta Mount
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3716
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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If you live in Rockville, your best observing accessory is a full tank of gasoline. 
http://www.smas.us/html/SMAS%20Home%20Page.html
http://www.delmarvastargazers.org/
Reasonably dark locations in Southern MD (Charles County) and Eastern Shore (Tuckahoe), respectively. Active observing clubs.
Cheers,
Jim
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ETXer
member
Reged: 09/03/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Rockville, MD USA
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Thanks! Well, maybe I was just a little polite  , but from where I live in Rockville, believe it or not, I've seen worse! There are some state and county parks not far away, but I inquired about use after dark for observing purposes and was (so far anyway) denied. Once the gates are close, that's it. But I'll definitely ask further from NOVAC and I think there might be some other sources I'll look into.
Cheers,
Allan
Edited by ETXer (10/29/09 07:42 PM)
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Bryguy
member
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 49
Loc: Frederick, MD
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I grew up in Rockville in the 70's and 80's. The milky way use to be highly visible. Your best bet is the Poolesville and Barnesville area (Sugarloaf Mountain / Comus area).
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Lunt 60DS/50, Baader Solar Film, 1000 Oak Type A+
Stellarvue 80 NHNG, AP 130 f/6, AP 160
AP 400 QMD, AP Mach1
Couple of Naglers, Couple of Pans, Pentax Zoom
Fuji 16x70, Celestron 10x50 Ultima, Celestron 8x42 Outland LX.
Wife and 2 Greyhounds
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6583
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Seriously I'd hop in the car and drive up to Damascus... stop in and lay your cards on the table *(new to the area yada yada yada and ask Gary Hand at Hands On optics where to go who to ask...
You can also drool over the telescopes displayed...
Seriously Gary knows the local clubs as ewll as the local area...
Alpha Ridge is not a major drive from Rockville and is used by HAL....and those boys seem to always be out there .
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Ramon Miro
super member
Reged: 08/09/04
Posts: 114
Loc: Rockville, MD
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As others mentioned, NOVAC has some good observing sites but they're all in Northern Virginia. They also have a members' listserve that keeps you up to date on actvities in the area. Also check out: astronomyindc.org maintained by the University of Marlyand observatory. It has a comprehensive local astronomy events calendar.
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RAKing
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 2087
Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
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I live about 30 miles to the west of DC and I've learned to live with it.
If I still lived in Maryland, I would join the Howard County Astronomical League, http://www.howardastro.org/ and go to some of their sites.
Welcome to Washington. 
Ron
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Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Tak FS-128, C925-CF, C6SE, other stray cats and refractors.
A-P Mach1 GTO
Zeiss orthos to Ethos - and some stuff in between.
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