Hello everyone,
Like most of us I am frustrated by the light pollution around my home. Yes, I can observe from this small town location but there is nothing like a nice dark sky. I recently came across an opportunity to acquire a dark sky site that is different from the ones in Arizona and New Mexico. It has potential, and I'm thinking of using it as a sub tropical dark sky bed and breakfast. It will be located on a Carabbean island. The skies would not be quite as dark as the western US sites, but more like the site in Chiefland Florida. The diffenence would be tolerable sun and a beach on the property, with the opportunity for local snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing if you get tired of staying up all night observing or taking photos. There is easy access with an airport nearby and daily scheduled airline service.
Would anyone out there be willing to pay to stay at a site like that? If so, what do you think is reasonable,and how often would you go there? Local hotels and inns range from about $120/night without meals and telescope. I would probably have a couple of telescopes set up for use. You bring your own camera and laptop(for now).
If I do this, I must be able to break even on my costs. I wouldn't stay on the site except for a few weeks a year but there would be management staff there. I would say the lodging will be able to accomodate at least a dozen people at a time very comfortably. There are over 4000 sq.ft of living space and multiple bathrooms.
I look forward to all of your invluable input.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Broder
Punta Gorda, FL
Like most of us I am frustrated by the light pollution around my home. Yes, I can observe from this small town location but there is nothing like a nice dark sky. I recently came across an opportunity to acquire a dark sky site that is different from the ones in Arizona and New Mexico. It has potential, and I'm thinking of using it as a sub tropical dark sky bed and breakfast. It will be located on a Carabbean island. The skies would not be quite as dark as the western US sites, but more like the site in Chiefland Florida. The diffenence would be tolerable sun and a beach on the property, with the opportunity for local snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing if you get tired of staying up all night observing or taking photos. There is easy access with an airport nearby and daily scheduled airline service.
Would anyone out there be willing to pay to stay at a site like that? If so, what do you think is reasonable,and how often would you go there? Local hotels and inns range from about $120/night without meals and telescope. I would probably have a couple of telescopes set up for use. You bring your own camera and laptop(for now).
If I do this, I must be able to break even on my costs. I wouldn't stay on the site except for a few weeks a year but there would be management staff there. I would say the lodging will be able to accomodate at least a dozen people at a time very comfortably. There are over 4000 sq.ft of living space and multiple bathrooms.
I look forward to all of your invluable input.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Broder
Punta Gorda, FL
