Dark sky observing site choices - What would you do?

I want to put out to the forum a simple query...if you had a chance to buy a piece of dark sky property for the purpose of observing (approx. 3 acres in the "blue" on the bortle scale and cheaper than a EM200/Mewlon 250 setup) or don't buy it and observe on some open Federal Land property just several more miles away in the dark grey/black on the bortle scale what would you do? Save the money and observe in the very black conditions or "call it your own" and observe in the blue where the differences visually speaking are slight? Oh you can get a cell phone call out in the blue sector put perhaps spotty or non-exsistent in the grey/black region.... Thanks Paul.

That's a tough call, Paul.
Generally speaking, darker is better.
If there are no problems on the federal land,
(what is it, BLM?) I'd probably stick with that.
Now, if you want to build an observatory, that's another story...
Linton

Having your stuff all set up in an observatory--or even a fixed pier such that you do not have to polar align each time--greatly simplifies visits to the remote site. Simplified packing (maybe carry the tubes , eyepieces/camera, and computer as needed, to the fixed pier) means you can get to obseving a loty quicker.

But remember, that blue will not stay blue forever.....It will lighten. Of course, by the time it does, you own a piece of land in a place that is experienceing "growth."

It really depends on how much better the viewing conditions are in the two sites......And your intended purposes. If it is strictly visual on dark sky objects, then you need the darkest/clearest possible. If it is imaging, you can sacrifice some of that.

Alex

Paul Wysocki said:

I want to put out to the forum a simple query...if you had a chance to buy a piece of dark sky property for the purpose of observing (approx. 3 acres in the "blue" on the bortle scale and cheaper than a EM200/Mewlon 250 setup) or don't buy it and observe on some open Federal Land property just several more miles away in the dark grey/black on the bortle scale what would you do? Save the money and observe in the very black conditions or "call it your own" and observe in the blue where the differences visually speaking are slight? Oh you can get a cell phone call out in the blue sector put perhaps spotty or non-exsistent in the grey/black region.... Thanks Paul.

It depends. Do you forsee wanting to develop the property by putting an observatory/cabin/home on it? Or just using it for observing in portable fashion? If the latter, stick with your darker site. If the former...the plus of not having to set up each time is huge, and you can, after all, see a hell of a lot from a "blue" site.

Paul,

You might buy the property and set up your observatory. Then, if you really want to spend some time at the really dark site, it's only a few miles away from your equipment. You can have the best of both worlds.

Rick

Based on your description and apparent residence, it appears you are talking about the Alpena area as your observing location. If so, my guess is that the difference in light pollution and therefore observing quality is marginal between the two locations, assuming they are only a few miles apart. Have you compared the two sites? Regardless, having a dedicated observing site that you own is a plus. Just watch out for the porcupines.

Jud

Paul Wysocki said:

I want to put out to the forum a simple query...if you had a chance to buy a piece of dark sky property for the purpose of observing (approx. 3 acres in the "blue" on the bortle scale and cheaper than a EM200/Mewlon 250 setup) or don't buy it and observe on some open Federal Land property just several more miles away in the dark grey/black on the bortle scale what would you do? Save the money and observe in the very black conditions or "call it your own" and observe in the blue where the differences visually speaking are slight? Oh you can get a cell phone call out in the blue sector put perhaps spotty or non-exsistent in the grey/black region.... Thanks Paul.

Having retired from the Forest Service a few years ago I can tell you that the days of fairly unrestricted public use is pretty much over. The public lands are rapidly heading towards a refuge system for wildlife species, corporate uses such as cell towers, ski resorts, and depending on administrations energy development. However, in all cases those uses are much more in tune with wildlife management that public recreational use.

So I am not sure how much longer you will be able to use that public land. The public is going to be herded into campgrounds in the next couple of decades. So they will be more like state parks than the public lands we know and enjoy today.

Paul: This is my two cents...

We recently purchased about 4 acres with a small house on it in the "blue" bortle region, it's about 4 miles from the San Diego Astronomy Association site. It would be several more miles, maybe hundreds to get to significantly darker skies.

A big key to observing is being comfortable. Out in the cold with the wind blowing puts a real damper on things and makes it less likely to make that trip the next time. A motor home goes a long way in that regard but a real home seems even better. Nothing quite like a warm bed to look forward too.

If one wants to head on out for the darkest skies, that is always possible but some place under the dark skies to call one's own, a place one can confidently park their butt without concern seems like a wonderful thing.



Jon

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I would get it if I could afford it with out too many issues right now. Why?

You never have to worry about who is going to show up at the public site. Cops shining flashlights to see what you are doing, other undesirable people, etc...

You will be able to build the site out as you see fit in the future. Perhaps an observatory, house, place a cheap camper on the site, etc...

You likely will get a great deal right now due to the economy.

The housing bust is likely to greatly reduce the numbers of people who will be building new developments out in the country. This makes it less likely that somebody will build near you.

And, lastly, because you can....