Yes, You Can Still See The Milky Way In The Northeast — Here's Where
The Milky Way shines above the ocean off the coast of Acadia National Park in the early morning ... More hours of Monday, April 23, 2018. (Staff photo by Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
If you live in the northeast of the U.S. the chances are very high that you cannot see any but the brightest stars at night. It's estimated that about a third of the world's population cannot see the Milky Way because of light pollution. In the U.S., it's even worse; nearly 80% of Americans are unable to see the arc of light across the night sky.
Wherever there are people, there is light. That might cause those in the densely populated and wetter regions of the U.S. — namely the northeast — to abandon the idea of stargazing altogether. Yet a glance at a light pollution map reveals some remaining dark areas where, on a clear night, you will be able to see the Milky Way — one of nature's most sublime sights.
Here are eight destinations in the northeast U.S. and Canada to go stargazing, from New York and Pennsylvania to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and just over the border in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada.
Look on a light pollution map, and you'll see a circle of darkness in northern Pennsylvania, where it borders New York. This is Susquehannock State Forest, and Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, is in the middle of that. As a result, it has some of the darkest night skies the eastern U.S. has to offer. It also has a dedicated Astronomy Field (which requires booking in advance), as well as many other locations from which to stargaze.
Here's an astrotourism adventure like no other. About 20 miles from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (just 3.5 hours on The CAT high-speed car ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine) is the Deep Sky Eye Observatory, where legally blind astronomer Tim Doucette will share his unique gift at the telescope (hint: his eyes see what only space telescopes can). There's an onside Nocturnal Sky Theatre as well as a Sky Cabin and Sky Bubbles to stay overnight in. It's North America's first Starlight Tourist Destination (issued by the UNESCO-backed Starlight Foundation).
The Milky Way from Cherry Springs National Park.
The darkest place in the entire region, according to light pollution maps, is the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. In Tupper Lake, west of Lake Placid, the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory has free stargazing and a roll-off roof observatory when skies are clear, with stargazing. It also has solar telescopes, an indoor planetarium and guest lectures.
For stargazers, something exciting is happening in New Brunswick. Kist over the U.S. border, a Dark Sky corridor is taking shape along the dramatic Bay of Fundy coast, with New River Beach Provincial Park, Irving Nature Park, the charming St. Martins, Fundy Trail Provincial Park and Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park all now being certified for a Dark Sky status, filling in the gaps either side of the existing Fundy National Park Dark Sky Preserve. Cliff Valley Astronomy has tours, star parties and dark sky destinations.
In light-polluted Massachusetts, it's difficult to find dark skies. If you stay on land, that is. Stellar Events organize stargazing cruises during which an astronomer uses a light pointer to reveal constellations, planets and star clusters from the top deck of the boat while far from land. Cruises go from Gloucester, Massachusetts and Sayville on Long Island, New York (and Galveston, Texas) from May through October.
Katahdin Woods & Waters scenic byway along a field of blooming flowers (Photo by Gregory ... More Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Maine is far and away the darkest state in the northeast U.S., but stargazers' favorite Acadia National Park no longer has particularly dark skies, thanks to nearby Bar Harbour. Instead, head to the more remote Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which was designated a precious International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020.
Just east of Albany, New York, Grafton Lakes State Park holds astronomy events, including its monthly Full Moon Hike and a Star Party on Friday, May 23. Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will have telescopes and give tours of the night sky at the Deerfield Pavilion. (8:30-9:30 p.m. EDT).
NYC is one of the most light-polluted cities in the world, but there remain some reliable places to go to see the brighter stars and solar system objects (planets and the moon are immune to light pollution). A great place to be during twilight is The High Line, the 1.5-mile-long elevated park built on the former New York Central Railroad in the city's Lower West Side. Stargazing is offered every Tuesday from sunset to 30 minutes before park closure between April and the end of October by The Amateur Astronomers Association. Other options in NYC include Central Park, Floyd Bennett Field, Great Kills Park, Harriman State Park and Columbia University's Pupin Hall, according to New York Family.
Wishing you clear skies and eyes.
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