Can you see the milky way from your home?

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GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
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I live in probably the most light-polluted area on earth. On a clear night we see maybe 100 stars tops.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
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no, not from my place. you can see quite a few stars, it's not TOO bad.

if i drive out into the county where my Dad's farm is, i can see the band of the milky way and an insane amount of stars. <3
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
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In NYC, usually can't even see the stars.
In the subrubs, where I live, I can see stars, but nothing like seeing the rest of the galaxy. I wish we had that New Zealand view :(
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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I'm in Atlanta, so no way; however, there are plenty of low mag skies around here within a short driving distance. It's surprising how many people don't even know what the Milky Way looks like. I think that's rather tragic actually, especially since I grew up roaming around rural Texas/Oklahoma/Kansas with skies so dark that the Milky Way was so pronounced that you'd think it was a bunch of clouds coming up from the horizon.

On a more detailed note, I used to be active in the astronomy society in my hometown, and I got to see the Milky Way through a 30" dob-mounted reflector. Literally it was so full of light, galaxies, star clusters ,nebulae, etc. that it would be more difficult to find a dark spot. One of the more amazing things I've ever seen, and though I have an 8" scope and some smaller 80mm scopes, it just doesn't compare.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
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Originally posted by: Deeko
We rarely see the sun here, you think we see the milky way?


You must have a lot of vampires where you live
:shiftyeyes;
 

actuarial

Platinum Member
Jan 22, 2009
2,814
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Where I grew up you could see all the stars. If you sat in our driveway the big dipper sat right on top of a barn across the street (depending on the time of year of course). Most nights you could also see the milky way.

We only lived about 40 minutes east of Toronto. We were outside of a small town though, so there was no such thing as street lights. When we would have to walk home from the bus stop in town it would be pure moonlight the whole way home.
 

theknight571

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,896
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I can't from home.. but from my parent's "cottage" I can... and from my in-laws cottage the sky is amazing.

 
Feb 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: BoomerD
Sadly, not here in Kahleeforneeya's Central Valley. Between the light pollution and air pollution, it's difficult to see more than a couple dozen stars.

When we lived in Western Wyoming, the night sky was ablaze with start of all sizes and colors...and the Milky Way gleamed like a neon light in the sky...

ok, I wax poetic...sort of...

From parts of Hawaii, you can see bazillions of stars in the sky, including the Milky Way.

Actually in parts of the Central Valley you can see quite a bit. The other day I drove through Vacaville and up the 505. I got too tired in the middle and I pulled over for my friend to drive and oh boy it was an amazing sight. Even a few months ago when I went to Lake Sonoma, you can see quite a few stars there. I'm pretty sure I can catch a couple dozen stars from the Bay Area already. I was up on Tilden (near the Berkeley lab) and we were watching stars. You would think it blows because of immense light pollution but I was surprised how much we could see.
 

BAMAVOO

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,087
41
91
I can for now, but they are putting up 40 foot light posts at the interstate exit as well as 2 100 foot light poles. Once these are in place, I will not be able to see the full moon :(


 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
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my family is building a summer place in a remote-ish area of the himalayas, 7000 feet up. air is thin, and on a clear night the sky view is staggering.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: sdifox
But Rubycon, where would we get those satellite pictures with brightly lid continent if not for the light pollution? :)

Better cameras! ;)
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: Newbian
Originally posted by: TallBill
I can has candy bar?

Just wait until you see the snickers system.

Snickers definitely better than Milky Way but both very bad for the figure. :(

The latter is still the fav for the mischievous boys to clear the pools though. :laugh:
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,331
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Originally posted by: Rubycon
Originally posted by: sdifox
But Rubycon, where would we get those satellite pictures with brightly lid continent if not for the light pollution? :)

Better cameras! ;)

you must work for the NSA...
 

LS8

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2008
1,285
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I have a decent view right now. My town's elevation is 1,500 ft and I don't have any lamps on my street or for several miles in any direction.
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
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At home, no.

At my folks place (about 850m and 30km out of Canberra), it's awesome.

At my folks old place, about 450km from Perth, it was like this crazy 3D bowl of light from horizon to horizon.