You know it is a dark sky site when.........

you see 4 wild boar crossing the road on the way up.

I was on vacation last week in the Smoky Mountains and went to what is called "Sassafras Ridge, TN" by the clear sky clock. I saw 4 wild boar on the road on the way up. I almost hit one of them.

Despite a quarter moon, the view was awesome! Never before have I seen so much detail on many things. I will have to post an observing report later. I got in over 40 Messier objects before a heavy fog rolled in at 2:45 am.

Unfortunately, that was the only good night that week. I will have to go back again, though!

...When you come from a light-polluted back yard in the city, and your first view of a dark sky leaves you wondering where your contellations went.

Two years ago I went up to the UP of Michigan and for the first time in years I saw a truly dark sky. I was so astounded I hardly looked through my scope. Just admiring the Milky Way left my jaw hanging open.

There were so many stars I couldn't hardly find any constellations. From my light polluted back yard, good nights are when I can see the major stars of the constellations and very little else. All my points of reference were lost in a myriad of stars and the Milky Way that I had forgotten were even there.

You know it is a dark sky site when.........

You can read your sky atlas without a flashlight.

My observing location (Figeuroa Mtn) is 30 miles from the nearest town. That town has a population of about 2500, and has mostly tree cover, so the town lights get blocked out.

On one of my recent trips, the moon was only 1/2 full and I was able to read my sky atlas without a flashlight!!! I was also able to pick up shades of green and blue while viewing the Orion Neblua through my Nexstar 8 using a 40mm Plossl. Amazing!!!

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

I was going out to a new site in April and was running late, so it was already getting pretty dark as we approached the turnoff. I glanced out the window, while driving, and instantly saw the double cluster. Wow. I looked again and saw M37 within moments. I was afraid to keep looking - I wanted to get there in one piece. Good spot. I've returned....
Linton

...It ought to be like that everywhere.

When you can see M81 or NGC 5128 with the naked eye!

Cheers,

Maurice

I have not seen M81 naked eye yet, but the double cluster is readily visible from my in-laws back deck. They live about 35 miles to the south of me. Its not Table Mountain or The OSP site out of Prineville, but they have a new 2500 foot home with all the comforts and my father in-law is interested in astronomy to the point that he would love for me to build an Observatory down there. Its just a matter of selling my wife on the idea that we should spend weekends at her parents house.