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I don't have dark skies. Can I still observe?

Home » Astronomy » Choosing an Observing Site » I don't have dark skies. Can I still observe?

Absolutely. Even the brightest of city lights can’t outdo our astronomical neighbors. The Moon and the properly filtered Sun can become targets of infinite interest because they are ever-changing. Bright planets, such as Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can also be seen easily from city locations and offer a wealth of details.

I have practiced both binocular and telescopic astronomy from the heart of a city under glaring parking lot lights. It is entirely possible to find a shady corner where the light is not shining directly in your eyes and still be able to locate bright star clusters and double stars. There are many guides and websites available dedicated to city astronomers and what can be seen during the year.

From a suburban location, it is entirely possible to see many different galaxies, nebulas, globular clusters, galactic clusters, meteor showers...and even aurora. The key is allowing your eyes time to adapt and avoid looking directly into a light source. Find a sheltered spot, such as inside the shadow of a house, or along a privacy fence.

Avoid blacktop and concrete when possible. These areas hold heat which will cause some distortion in the air. Avoid wooden decks when possible, because they will cause some vibration when you move.

While you can’t put out the streetlight, you can ask your neighbors to turn off outdoor lighting while you practice astronomy. Try inviting them to enjoy a view through your telescope and you just might gain an ally against light pollution!

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