44 replies to this topic

[Starman47]

I am looking for a home in the eastern US where light pollution is not too bad. Of course I want to be near the usual things (shopping, health care, etc). And of course where the light pollution is not getting too bad, too fast. Any suggestions out there from those in the CN universe? 

[Xeroid]

How about Chatham Cape Cod?

 

This past summer Milky Way was naked eye visible on several nights...

Edited by Xeroid, 12 February 2024 - 04:25 PM.

[Spikey131]

North central PA, near Cherry Springs State Park.

 

Fly fishing is good up there as well….

 

The compromise of course will be convenience to the “usual things” and dark skies.  

[Jethro7]

Hello Starman47,

Take a look at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a good bit of Bortle 2 skies here. The issue here is the Summer Huricanes. I have given thought of moving to Chiefland Florida for the darker skies.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[rjacks]

I would look at the World Light Pollution Map. It's hard to match dark skies with modern conveniences. You will have to make a decision about commute length from your dark sky house to conveniences or from your convenient house to dark skies!

[bedrock]

Hello Starman47,

Take a look at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a good bit of Bortle 2 skies here. The issue here is the Summer Huricanes. I have given thought of moving to Chiefland Florida for the darker skies.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

+1 for the Outer Banks. Been down to Ocracoke Island and it was VERY dark. Even though the LP map lists it as a B2, the whole area of sky towards the ocean is absolutely pristine. Growth of LP is pretty limited by the fact that all the land outside of the town is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Plus, you're by the beach.

Edited by bedrock, 12 February 2024 - 08:14 PM.

[Tony Flanders]

How about Chatham Cape Cod?

 

This past summer Milky Way was naked eye visible on several nights...

That's a seriously low standard! The Milky Way is naked-eye visible in the Boston suburbs, right outside Rt. 128.

 

Cape Cod actually does have some fairly dark areas. The problem is that to get anywhere darker, you have to start by driving through places that are much brighter. Much the same issue as the eastern end of Long Island.

 

The North Country -- paper-tree country, from northern New York through Maine -- is pretty dark. Obviously the darker the spot is, the farther you're going to be from shopping and a hospital.

 

Western NY and PA also have some reasonably dark areas, as does the spine of the Appalachians for most of its (considerable) length.

[Xeroid]

Yeah, but don'f forget that on the on the way to those dark sites on Cape Cod one can stop at some really great seafood places!....uuurrrghh!

 

 

That's a seriously low standard! The Milky Way is naked-eye visible in the Boston suburbs, right outside Rt. 128.

 

Cape Cod actually does have some fairly dark areas. The problem is that to get anywhere darker, you have to start by driving through places that are much brighter. Much the same issue as the eastern end of Long Island.

 

The North Country -- paper-tree country, from northern New York through Maine -- is pretty dark. Obviously the darker the spot is, the farther you're going to be from shopping and a hospital.

 

Western NY and PA also have some reasonably dark areas, as does the spine of the Appalachians for most of its (considerable) length.

[Jethro7]

The North Country -- paper-tree country, from northern New York through Maine -- is pretty dark. Obviously the darker the spot is, the farther you're going to be from shopping and a hospital.

 

Western NY and PA also have some reasonably dark areas, as does the spine of the Appalachians for most of its (considerable) lelength.

I agree, these areas in upstate NY are rual. Buying land here can be had at a bargain. By Florida standards it is cheap.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

https://www.landandc...fAaAlWKEALw_wcB

[rjacks]

Observing at the beach has four problems: wind, salt spray, sand, and resulting corrosion. 

[FirstSight]

Hello Starman47,
Take a look at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a good bit of Bortle 2 skies here. The issue here is the Summer Huricanes. I have given thought of moving to Chiefland Florida for the darker skies.

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

The outer banks are such a good place for astronomy that home prices are astronomical.

[Tankrogers]

Monterey Virginia area B2 close to West Virginia line, it’s relatively close to I 81 

[CarolinaBanker]

The outer banks are such a good place for astronomy that home prices are astronomical.

You could look at Columbia, Roper and pretty much anywhere between Greenville and the beach, while Greenville is between B8 (downtown) and B5 (outskirts of the city), there is B4 in Ayden/Grifton. Close to a level I trauma center/academic medical center, shopping and restaurants.

[Starman47]

I am looking at a few places that are close to a national forest. B4 looking towards B2-3. And still less than 20 minutes to most things, and 45 minutes to Costco. 

Edited by Starman47, 15 February 2024 - 10:27 AM.

[John O'Hara]

North central PA, near Cherry Springs State Park.

 

Fly fishing is good up there as well….

 

The compromise of course will be convenience to the “usual things” and dark skies.  

Cherry Springs is an excellent dark sky location specially groomed and purposed for stargazing.  When clear, it compares well with sights I use in the Kofa Wildlife Refuge south of Quartzsite, AZ (theoretically Bortle 2 on the World Atlas of Night Sky Darkness).  Naturally, Arizona has more clear nights, but, when the sky is transparent at Cherry Springs, SQM readings I've taken have been comparable.  Cherry Springs is remote, but you're still within 25 minutes of decent grocery stores in Galeton or Coudersport.  Coudersport has a decent hospital so you're not that far from medical care.  I have decent Verizon service there.  There are potable water and flush toilets on the field, and electric pedestals for powering scopes or recharging batteries.  If you have a camper, Cherry Springs also has a dump station.  

 

You stated you're looking for a home, and there are cabins (what some call cabins are actually pretty nice houses) in the vicinity, or you could buy a home in one of the nearby small towns and drive to Cherry Springs for observing.  

Edited by John O'Hara, 18 February 2024 - 04:40 PM.

[UnityLover]

How about Chatham Cape Cod?

 

This past summer Milky Way was naked eye visible on several nights...

I can see the milky way from an SQM 20.22 site, from the southern horizon to cassiopeia.

[Starman47]

I am no longer in the market for a home like I describe previously. In other words problem solved. Thanks all. And to all a good night. Ha ha

[George N]

I am looking for a home in the eastern US where light pollution is not too bad. Of course I want to be near the usual things (shopping, health care, etc). And of course where the light pollution is not getting too bad, too fast. Any suggestions out there from those in the CN universe? 

Well, there's the problem - the Northeast is like everywhere else in the 'developed world' - "really dark" means being away from "people" - and things like Walmart and hospitals.

 

The "camp" I rent on Indian Lake NY = SQM 21.85 or better - but not a single drug store in the county, nearest ER is 90-minute drive - on a good day - completely cut off with bad snows - hour round trip to a decent grocery store - two hours or more to the nearest Walmart (wife's concern ). Lots of bears and moose! The County has lost 10% population in the last ten years - so there's hope the sky will get better, not worse. However, like anywhere else in North America - dark sky means few amenities. ...and forget big lake-front property in the Adirondacks unless you show up with a million $ or more down payment.... and even that might not get you a property showing.

 

On the other hand - a few months ago my friend with a summer home on Tupper Lake NY told me that the last time her friends Al and Judy Nagler stayed over (Al's sister was a long-time resident) - Al said, "I use to think the WSP in the Keys was the best place in the World to observe from - but now I think it's out on your dock!" (SQM = 21.8+) -- and there is a small hospital about 40 minutes away. She lives in Florida during the Winter tho. Same lady tells of staying somewhere in Africa for solar eclipse and asking the locals if some flashes early in the evening twilight was a "storm approaching" - and being told "No, that's the rebels mortaring the army base 4 miles away!" She says - that's when I said - "OK kids - no stargazing tonight!"  

 

Attached photo is 'not the best of nights' looking South down Indian Lake NY - about an hour after the last thunderstorm went thru - Sept 2021.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by George N, 21 February 2024 - 11:53 AM.

[Starman47]

I am no longer in the market for a home like I describe previously. In other words problem solved. Thanks all. And to all a good night. Ha ha

I am moving to Europe. The spot I have chosen is a b4 area, and there is a university hospital 15-20 minutes away. Not too shabby if I say so myself. And some 20 minutes away, I can work as a volunteer teacher a couple of times a week. So, I guess I am going further east than originally anticipated. 

Edited by Starman47, 21 February 2024 - 04:48 PM.

[John O'Hara]

Wow!  That's a small change in plans    Seriously, I hope your transition goes smoothly.  

[Starman47]

Actually, Europe was a possibility for a long time. The eastern US was just a long shot/last attempt to find the right place to retire. 

[Matt78]

If I could live anywhere, I would live a bit north of Mt Bigelow in Maine. I’ve seen the class 2 sky there from on top of the mountain. It’s feels like you could fall into a sea of stars if you on your back. If you were a bit north, say on the north shore of Flagstaff lake (the lake on the mountain’s north slope), that might be just perfect. There’s a bit of light from the ski area in the valley, but the mountain would block that.

If you’re retiring, though, it’s also not a bad idea to think about access to medical care. We’ll all need it at some point as we age. Bigelow is in a ski town, so there’s a bit more available than some towns in rural Maine, but you’re still a good 1 hour+ from the hospital in Farmington.

Plenty of class 2 skies in Maine, but I don’t know of many that are not a good ways from civilization. Class 3 on the other hand is not hard to get 20-30 minutes or so from a large town, but I am very concerned those will be 4s and 5s in the next decade or so.

[UnityLover]

How about Chatham Cape Cod?

 

This past summer Milky Way was naked eye visible on several nights...

I can see the milky-way naked eye from a bortle 5 location. Heck, I can see it from the horizen, to 15 degrees past the zenith. SQM 20.22 btw.

[George N]

I can see the milky-way naked eye from a bortle 5 location. Heck, I can see it from the horizen, to 15 degrees past the zenith. SQM 20.22 btw.

That would put much of PA/NY and 'interior' New England in 'range' for a "dark sky retirement home". However, many people would not consider SQM 20.22 as truly dark sky - nice, but not really 'dark sky'. Most folks I know in the NY/PA border area would want at least SQM 21.0.

 

Simply finding 'dark sky' is easy - just go were there's no people. Living there is not so easy - there's the risks (health emergencies - ER = 90-minute drive) and inconveniences (90-minute good day drive to Walmart, no cell service, no cable) like at my 'camp' in the central Adirondacks.

 

It seems that the OP of this thread gave up and moved to a less-than "dark sky ideal" location - based lifestyle considerations.

 

To me - life is a balance between risk vs reward. I have many reasons beyond 'dark sky' to want to live a rural lifestyle, plus 2 to 10 weeks a year on the edge of a wilderness and big lake - and I'm willing to take the risks involved. I can understand many others would not want that - and that's why the places I live have far fewer people that most of the Northeast - or the big cities of the West.

Edited by George N, 27 April 2024 - 10:13 AM.

[UnityLover]

That would put much of PA/NY and 'interior' New England in 'range' for a "dark sky retirement home". However, many people would not consider SQM 20.22 as truly dark sky - nice, but not really 'dark sky'. Most folks I know in the NY/PA border area would want at least SQM 21.0.

 

Simply finding 'dark sky' is easy - just go were there's no people. Living there is not so easy - there's the risks (health emergencies - ER = 90-minute drive) and inconveniences (90-minute good day drive to Walmart, no cell service, no cable) like at my 'camp' in the central Adirondacks.

 

It seems that the OP of this thread gave up and moved to a less-than "dark sky ideal" location - based lifestyle considerations.

 

To me - life is a balance between risk vs reward. I have many reasons beyond 'dark sky' to want to live a rural lifestyle, plus 2 to 10 weeks a year on the edge of a wilderness and big lake - and I'm willing to take the risks involved. I can understand many others would not want that - and that's why the places I live have far fewer people that most of the Northeast - or the big cities of the West.

I know, im saying that a bortle 5 location isnt much.