ChatterBank0 min ago
Sky full of stars
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I was once in the Boston planetarium. The lights went down and hundreds of stars appeared in the "sky". A voice said, "This is what you would see if you went outside in Boston on a clear night."
"But this", continued the voice, "is what you would have seen 200 years ago". THOUSANDS of stars appeared - it was jaw-dropping.
The problem these days is both light pollution and general atmospheric pollution.
The best places for star watching are found at the world's finest observatories high above the cloud cover and away from view-inhibiting light pollution.
A few of the best are Mauna Kea, Hawaii; Palomar, California; and Cerro Pach�n, Chile. Astronomers from around the world come to these places to study heavenly bodies with the most powerful telescopes on the planet.
When it comes to a more casual brand of stargazing, the rule of thumb is the further you are removed from light pollution, the better. Street and city lights create a haze in the sky that diminishes the brilliance of the stars. Venture to the middle of desert or a remote island, and stars appear much brighter to the naked eye. Depending on where you live in the world, your best bet is to head for the country.