Finding a good place to stargaze or photograph

[SpaceFreak131]

Hello everyone.

I live in Stamford, CT and for the past couple of days I've been looking for dark spots to do some viewing and photographing. I want to stay within a 1-hour's drive. It doesn't have to be Bortle 1 type skies, but just something better than what I have. I thought maybe a national or state park, but those are all closed at night. So I checked my local light pollution, and it looks like my only bet is to travel north.

Here's the problem though, without investing 2 hours (1 hour there, and 1 hour back), how can I make a reasonable assumption as to whether or not I am even allowed on the spot I'm looking? For example, I can find some dark-ish areas, but I don't know if that's someones property, or if that's a no trespassing area, etc.

What do you guys usually do? Are there some places in CT near me that you could recommend?

[seawolfe]

Can you even FIND a bortle 1 sky in New England without driving to Maine or Canada?

[Shelldrake]

I use this link to find observing sites. Looks like some decent observing in MA, not so much CT.
Light pollution map

[bobharmony]

Take a look at this thread

CT Observing

It has a link to Astronomy clubs in CT. Some of those folks may be able to help out with good dark sites. I can't, I rarely range from the back deck - and I can tell you, it is NOT a dark site!

Bob

[Just A Simple Guy]

Here's the problem though, without investing 2 hours (1 hour there, and 1 hour back), how can I make a reasonable assumption as to whether or not I am even allowed on the spot I'm looking? For example, I can find some dark-ish areas, but I don't know if that's someones property, or if that's a no trespassing area, etc.

What do you guys usually do? Are there some places in CT near me that you could recommend?

The only way I know of verifying the viability of a location I identify using a light pollution map is to take a scouting trip. I'll identify several within an area of interest and then just bite the bullet and take a drive prior to going out with all my equipment. So I identify areas of interest using a light pollution map, check them out with Google Earth and then take a drive.

[Leveye]

Bob has a great Idea. That would be the best thing to do. If not pack the car and go exploring. That's part of the adventure. I do it when doing landscape photography. If you think it's private property best to seek out and ask permission. Some folks are more than accommodating

[Gabby76]

If you have a state or national park close by that would be good for viewing have a talk with the staff there. They may be able to help you or even suggest some other locations.

[SpaceFreak131]

Thanks for your help everyone, these are all good suggestions! +1

[Just A Simple Guy]

You probably saw it mentioned in the other thread in this sub-forum (Finding a Good Viewing Site in a New Place): Cemeteries. I use one just outside of town near my summer camp.

Before doing so I did drop by the local State Trooper barracks and let them know what I'd be doing there in the event I was noticed.