All Inclusive DEVA Day Night Environment

[DeathValleyDazed]

While searching for new events and reviewing fond memories of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society's star gazing in DEVA of which I've been lucky enough to attend three, I rediscovered this really cool link for those following "Dark Skies" and other conditions. What do you all think of the data available?

http://www.lvastronomy.com/index.php/obs...ath-valley

I'm so missing DEVA having not been since the Fall and can't get back until May of this year. 

[TacoLand]

Thanks for sharing the link. As much as I love Death Valley, we're spoiled rotten in Northern Nevada with much darker skies. Going camping next weekend and hoping to catch a bit of the Lyrids meteor shower.

Do you have your plans to visit DV in May dialed in already? It'll be great getting back out there!

[trailhound]

The chart appears to be based on valid scientific data. If you are observing from DV, try Dante's View instead of FC. It's a mile higher and, hence, a mile less air to see through.

[DeathValleyDazed]

Thanks for sharing the link. As much as I love Death Valley, we're spoiled rotten in Northern Nevada with much darker skies. Going camping next weekend and hoping to catch a bit of the Lyrids meteor shower.

Do you have your plans to visit DV in May dialed in already? It'll be great getting back out there!

I too love Northern Nevada and the Black Rock Desert and hope you see some cool meteorite light shows. Still trying to dial in a date for DEVA return which is frustrating.

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The chart appears to be based on valid scientific data.  If you are observing from DV, try Dante's View instead of FC.  It's a mile higher and, hence, a mile less air to see through.

Agree about Dante's View. A few years ago I had my spotting scope for a full moon rise from Dante's View and shared it with several visitors who got a thrill out seeing the Moon like that.

[MojaveGeek]

Here's a pretty good dark sky map of the world:
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/

And, TacoLand, there's a quote in here from me (!) about a little bit of work I did with Friends of Nevada Wilderness on protecting dark sky viewsheds:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/apr/14...ds-darkes/

Ironically, I had the conversation with the reporter on that one while out hiking some place near St. George, UT

I "discovered" north eastern Nevada because the views of the Earth from space at night showed few light sources, and hence suggested solitude. I sure got it there!

[David_Bricker]

Here's a pretty good dark sky map of the world:
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/

Thanks for that link.  Very interesting.  Our NY house shows more light pollution than I expected, yet I can see the Milky way quite nicely on many night.  Yet, our HI house shows a darker sky, yet I've not seen the Milky Way as easily.

Our son's house in Keeler is even better, but PSR and much of Death Valley are the best.

I guess I know where to see my best sky views!

David Bricker / SYR

[MojaveGeek]

Well don't forget that data is only light pollution. I would not be surprised if your HI house has higher humidity and more water vapor in the sky = decreased visibility. Maybe that's the factor. Once I slept up in Arcane Meadows near Telescope and was rather surprised by the light from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. OTOH, the northern end of the Eureka valley was so dark that I could walk around (light colored ground, dark creosote bushes) easily by the starlight alone on a moonless night.

[David_Bricker]

Well don't forget that data is only light pollution.  I would not be surprised if your HI house has higher humidity and more water vapor in the sky = decreased visibility.  Maybe that's the factor.  Once I slept up in Arcane Meadows near Telescope and was rather surprised by the light from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas.  OTOH, the northern end of the Eureka valley was so dark that I could walk around (light colored ground, dark creosote bushes) easily by the starlight alone on a moonless night.

Excellent point on humidity / water vapor.  We are on the rainy side of Hawaii island, averaging 150 inches of rain a year.  Humidity is a constant; 70-95%.

David Bricker / SYR

[DeathValleyDazed]

the northern end of the Eureka valley was so dark that I could walk around (light colored ground, dark creosote bushes) easily by the starlight alone on a moonless night.

I rarely use a flashlight at night in DEVA for this very reason. I like to pretend to be the ancient Timbisha Shoshone person traveling at night during the summer to avoid the heat while being guided by the natural light from the heavens.