10 replies to this topic

[wonderinunity]

Hello!
I may have an opportunity in the near future to relocate to any location I want in San Diego county. As long as it has decent internet access.
I’m drawn to the north coast, where I’m guessing the seeing is better - but plenty of light pollution. Ok.
By the time you’re at Bortle 4 or below, you’re in the mountains, where hypothetically seeing is worse.
My thinking is to prefer better seeing, as I can use my dual-narrowband filters with my imx571 on C8 w/hyperstar. Will use .63 reducer during galaxy season. Can’t change seeing.
Can anyone suggest different options where the trade-off works in favor of the astrophotographer ?
East of Scripps Ranch? San Marcos? Oceanside? Cardiff?
Thanks in advance for your local experience and wisdom.

[slepage]

I’m not sure why you think the San Diego mountains have seeing that is less then what you will have in the coastal or valley zones.  The laminar flow that comes off the ocean produces (at times) excellent seeing in all of these areas.  For San Diego, seeing is the least of your issues unless you set up in the lower elevation east of the SD mountains.  Your biggest issue will be fog and low clouds.  You need to be far enough inland and at a high enough elevation to get on top of it, or not reach your location.  If you like north county, then check out Valley Center and the surrounding areas.

 

Steve

[SteveL42]

The 200” Hale is on Palomar mountain for a reason. Might check with SDAA, their observatory at Tierra Del Sol is at 3700 feet. 

[blackstar707]

...  If you like north county, then check out Valley Center and the surrounding areas.

 

Steve

Steve, for "Valley Center", do you mean the Central Valley: Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, etc.? If yes, how is this area good seeing (with bad light pollution)?
 

[TOMDEY]

If the new location will literally be your new homestead... prudent to literally spend some significant night time there before committing to the purchase and move. Don't take anyone's word for it... not even a realtor. I did that research in finding where we live now. Chose it for good darkness, elevation, and seeing. Also intentionally seek ~depressed rural~ not too close to expressways or development. Specifically target a good rural hill that will most likely remain depressed and therefore not subject to "development". We've been here over 40 years now and that plan worked fine. Our state has continued hemorrhaging population... which actually turns out to be good for astronomy. I presume your situation is similar.    Tom

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[slepage]

Steve, for "Valley Center", do you mean the Central Valley: Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, etc.? If yes, how is this area good seeing (with bad light pollution)?
 

No, Valley Center is a north San Diego community located in the foot hills below palomar mountain,

[jirpo]

Seeing is often 3/5 and 4/5 inland in San Diego. North snd East of Escondido, Rancho Bernardo east of I-15 are fine places for AP.

[wonderinunity]

Thanks very much for the responses.
Nope, my thinking is not based on experience at all - hence the question of ya’ll.
I’ll be renting. Looking to be able to set up in the yard and get good data. Or, pack up and drive a bit if it’s worth it for the fainter ones.

[Alex McConahay]

Consider Julian. 

 

I do not know about the specifics of seeing, but it is between Mt. Laguna and Palomar. Both places are noted for good seeing. Julian is an actual town with lots of places to live. 

 

Alex

[jirpo]

Julian has nice skies. It is hitting the 4200ft, and often gets light snow in winter.

Edited by jirpo, 12 September 2024 - 12:28 PM.

[SteveL42]

The population of San Diego is manly around the I-5 and I-15 corridors.  Julian is quite a ways east - about and hour and a half to the San Diego Airport, and the nearest Walmart is probably an hour away in Escondido.  It's remote - with good attributes for Astronomy perhaps, but away from just about everything! 

 

I lived in Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Escondido in the 90s/early 2000's.  Costal is probably not where you want to be for observing - lots of moisture and fog.  How far east you want to go is a choice - better sky's, just further from everything.  The lighting around Palomar used to be pretty tightly controlled - not sure if that's true anymore, but somewhere around Palomar mountain might be a good area.