Where are the darkest skies in the US?

I have some questions about light pollution. If you live in a medium size city, how far away would you have to go to escape its light pollution? Are we talking 50-75 miles here?

Where are some extremely dark observing locations in the US? I'm more interested in the locations that are in the eastern half of the US.

I"m also curious about dark sky's, but I"m in the Chicago area. Where are your favorite sites, within a half days drive ?

Chris,

I don't know where you live, but ...

Among the darkest skies east of the Mississippi would be those at Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, Pennsylvania. This is the site that is home to the Black Forest Star Party. I've been to Cherry Springs twice now and the skies are absolutely stunning.

If you wish, go to http://www.bfsp.org for directions to the park. This year's star party is history, but I understand there is almost always a contingent of astronomers there.

Regards,
Lou

The best dark sky sites that I've observed from in the eastern USA are Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, Pennsylvania and Spruce Knob in West Virginia.

Phil Harrington's Dark-Sky Observing Site Directory - http://www.philharrington.net/dssd.htm - may be of some help to you.

Dave Mitsky

While I won't venture the opinion that they are the darkest, they are sure the best around here, and that would be Astronomy Village in Chiefland, FL. The November Star Party skies there can be exceptional, not only for darkness, but for steadiness as well. I will be going this year, as I am sure, many hundreds more are as well!! See you all there.

Walt

Check out this link
http://www.inquinamentoluminoso.it/worldatlas/pages/fig2.htm
you will see that the darkest skies are all over the western desert areas etc. The cleardarksky.com (clear sky clock) shows a light pollution map for each area on a link. So, find an area in the list for clear skies near you and check out the light pollution map that goes with it.

Randall Barbour