Sky full of stars

[DillyGent]

Where can I go in the world to see a sky full of stars?

[Clanad]

Anywhere there isn't light polution.  This becomes more difficult with passing time, however, almost anywhere in the western and southwestern U.S. away from metropolitan areas can provide such an opportunity. Come on out to Big Sky country...

[DillyGent]

Thanks Clanad, I am staying overnight in the Grand Canyon in November and hoping for a clear night.

[Clanad]

Clear night wishes, then!  Are you actually staying in the Canyon?

[Quizmonster]

The Ru'ub al khali (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia is a good bet!

[DillyGent]

Yes Clanad, staying in the Maswik Lodge overnight - it will be my 50th and I wanted something special to remember.

[SteveD]

Good luck in finding the right place, DillyGent.

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.

[Octavius]

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.

[Clanad]

Well, DillyGent, welcome to the U.S.  Just wanted to mention that November is really late season for the Canyon.  Be sure to bring some warm clothes.  (I'm sure you already know that though).

[Gef]

In the UK head out to the Hebrides. My favourite is the Isle of Iona - 2 "street lights" on the jetty but nothing else for miles around.

[jno]

Australian outback is good, or New Zealand away from towns. I saw 4 shooting stars in one night while sleeping out in the Syrian desert.

[dothawkes]

Cadwell Park race circuit near Louth, awesome!!!!!!

[kaktus]

The best sky of stars I've ever seen was in Northern California. I'm sure they come better but that was great! In general just get away from all the city lights. Hope you have a great trip to Grand Canyon, I'm quite jealous :0)

[Laurinha]

Chuwanga Beach on the Mozabique side of Lake Malawi - I could see the entire Milkyway.  It looked like you could just reach out and touch it.  The sky was so clear I could see shooting stars every couple of minutes. 

[landie]

A good cloudless night away from towns, cities or industrial development.

I always find it rather amazing, when you consider the millions of years that the light from these stars has taken to get here, that it is still perfecly synchronised with our night-time.

[Laurinha]

Do you think that it just stops shining during the day landie?  That would be a pretty amazing trick! LOL

[Kendo]

Somewhere,where it is dark? ;-)

[SamGo]

Some where away from Circuit City