8 replies to this topic

[nitegeezer]

Please remember that guests can also read these posts, so don't be too specific about your location or provide other information you don't want the whole world to see.  One may want to PM other members in your area and meet at a public location.  

[deefree49]

Hello Central Ohio star gazers. Anyone know of any good "semi" dark sites that are within 30 miles of the city?

It is pretty bad inside the city as I'm sure everyone already knows. I would be interested in doing occasional informal star parties at one of these locations.   

[DaveG]

Deer Creek state park has pretty nice dark skies. There are several parking areas out away from the lake that are great. The milky way is visible to the naked eye.

[deefree49]

Thank you DaveG. Should be easy travel from here. Actually been there a couple of times already to hike around.

[dobjob]

Anybody from the Mansfield/Loudonville area?

[Mike G.]

Used to live in that area, now near the lake. But Mohican State Park was always good. And I remember there was a pretty good size hill you could drive up to that people used for observing that was quite good. It was state land and on the way there but not in the park. Probably have to use a topographical map to find it now. The area around snow trails is also dark but since it is private land you would need permission from the owner. There is also an observatory at Hidden Hollow Camp with a good size reflector and public viewing. You'll need to google it, I don't have the details

[bobcat83]

I'm a visual observer, possibly relocating to Athens this summer.  I saw a news item about the University building an observatory at The Ridges for outreach and teaching.  Anyone know if there is a nucleus of visual observers in Athens who have locations they can use?  I gather there used to be a club that focused on sidewalk astronomy and dark-sky awareness, but they have disbanded.  Do folks from Athens join the Columbus Astronomical Society to use access at Colkle's Hollow and the site in Morgan County?

[csrlice12]

Alum Creek?  or a bit West of there.....like Colorado/Utah/Arizona/New Mexico.......

Edited by csrlice12, 11 April 2016 - 02:33 PM.

[krahling]

Warren Rupp Observatory/Richland Astronomical Society at Hidden Hollow is more than 30 miles, but it's dark and there is public viewing the first Saturday of each month.  The website is:  http://wro.org/