Stargazing

[truefilth]

Hello all, this is my first post. (:

I'm going to my first burn this year && I was wondering if the stars are actually visible and bright. I live near Dallas, Texas and NEVER get to see the stars. So, would the Playa be a good place to bring a telescope?

[Shambala]

Sometime yes, sometime no. It all depends on the night and the cloud cover. If you're driving, I would suggest bringing the telescope. If you're flying, I would suggest leaving it home.
I hope this helps!

Edited to add: WELCOME TO EPLAYA.

[The CO]

And, keep in mind that Black Rock City has light spilling out all over.

[lemur]

there are some stars and stuff....

but theres also all kinda other crap..

the view from my camp in 2011 was full of ..stuff

[ygmir]

it's not to bad way out at Pt3 at the trash fence, as far as light pollution. and, depending on weather and wind, can be pretty clear out there.

[Savannah]

One of the best ways to view the stars there within the city blocks is to climb up on top of an RV with a friendly owner, and just lay on your back and look up. Getting up even 1 story high will help you see some wonderful things--the Milky Way, some planets, shooting stars.

Other, taller items such as towers, platforms, scaffolding are also helpful. Or wander away from the city a hundred yards from the outside streets and enjoy. If you lay down, have lights on your body (always good at night) and stay alert so bicyclists or art cars don't hit ya.

[ygmir]

One of the best ways to view the stars there within the city blocks is to climb up on top of the RV with a friendly owner, and just lay on your back and look up. Getting up even 1 story high will help you see some wonderful things--the Milky Way, some planets, shooting stars.

Other, taller items such as towers, platforms, scaffolding are also helpful. Or wander away from the city a hundred yards from the outside streets and enjoy. If you lay down, have lights on your body (always good at night) and stay alert so bicyclists or art cars don't hit ya.

*so much for the darktard polo match*

[Bob]

That works if you lie down, too.

[wh..sh]

yayy for telescope!

[junglesmacks]

There's a huge astronomy camp with awesome telescopes out by the trash fence. You should go check 'em out..

[burner von braun]

Welcome to eplaya truefilth!

I love looking at the stars, but honestly, didn't seem to find time for it during my first burn (too many fire breathing dragons roaming about). The above are all great suggestions. I'll make more of an attempt this year.

You might consider an additional option if you are driving. Along the way, or on the way back, especially in the higher altitudes like parts of Utah, or Nevada, pull over safely in a darkened stretch of highway on a clear night. It will take your breath away! Especially someone from a city such as you. I have never seen as many stars at once in my entire life as the night I pulled over somewhere in the middle of Utah one night after the burn. It was glorious!

[Ugly Dougly]

The stars are MUCH MORE easily viewed at night.

Seriously, just when you arrive is probably the best time. Light pollution gets worse as the event goes on.

[BoyScoutGirl]

The stars are MUCH MORE easily viewed at night.

Except for that one really close star.

You know, the sun.

[wh..sh]

The stars are MUCH MORE easily viewed at night.

Except for that one really close star.

You know, the sun.

[AntiM]

Seeing the Milky Way is a amazing.

[Brianna_Beauty413]

I've never thought about not being able to see the stars...I'm from Montana so I see them every night as long as the night is clear. I remember being out on the farm when I was younger. Lying in the middle of the pasture with the cow turds looking up at the stars and listening to the coyotes yipp Those were amazing times!

Anyway...just be careful about bringing an expensive telescope. Remember, the playa dust gets into EVERYTHING!

[Savannah]

Seeing the Milky Way is a amazing.

It blew my mind the first time I realized that I was looking at it. You can't see it within the city limits here; not with the naked eye . . .

[Noboundaries]

Full moon on Aug 31st this year. Assuming no clouds the night sky is going to be flooded with light.

[SquirrelHead]

Seeing the Milky Way is a amazing.

It blew my mind the first time I realized that I was looking at it. You can't see it within the city limits here; not with the naked eye . . .

So do you need a telescope to see it or just head out of the city a few hundred yards? I love going to the lake because it is way out there and you can see all the stars. We see several shooting stars over the weekend.

[AntiM]

The milky way is a wide band of white... you just have to find a dark spot, let your eyes adjust and look up. You'll figure it out.

[SquirrelHead]

Sweet! I am adding this to my long list of things to do. Of course I know the list is out the window once I actually get there and start experiencing everything.

[moonrise]

Sweet! I am adding this to my long list of things to do. Of course I know the list is out the window once I actually get there and start experiencing everything.

It'll be more difficult to see it in the city with BRC light pollution, try to be aware of that no matter how dusty it is or isn't, or what phase & stage the moon is in.

My home home is at 7000 elev. above sea level. Looking up, while standing on my deck on a dark and crystal clear night, the Milky Way overtakes a huge swath of the night sky...it looks close enough to give you veritgo just looking at it. *It looks like clouds made of stars*

I can't beleive you haven't seen the Milky Way Squirrelhead! (btw, seen through the naked eye means, looking without a telescope)
2012 burn there's a full moon and (probable) extra dusty skies. If the full moon brightness doesn't wash out the subtle Milky Way, you've got a tiny chance the night sky might be clear enough to actually see it in it's glory, while on the playa.
I would only plan this if I could (figure out!) gps and time the night without a moon (on noes! not me?) and you need to be lucky enough to have clear skies.
Good luck.
If clear skies, and no moon phase & stage issues, then be there in place, sit and wait out in deep darker playa, maybe you'll see it.

If kinda, sorta, maybe clear-ish skies, and you get tired of sitting in the deep dark playa, asuming without a moon (mm mmm!) and you're in the city and you can somehow see through BRC light pollution well enough to see it clears at the magic Milky Way hour, that's when you practice immediacy, hop on your bikes and zip to the pre planned gps, deep playa spot and see it in it's glory.
~Bring some refreshments. Absinthe?

[Ugly Dougly]

The beams from the UFO's drown out the light from the exploding galaxies, but it's all right.

[Saguache]

BRC tends to burn out the stars, but the playa is a GREAT place for star gazing. There's just too much light pollution as te week goes on; that said don't forget to look up.

[kiss-o-matic]

BRC tends to burn out the stars, but the playa is a GREAT place for star gazing. There's just too much light pollution as te week goes on; that said don't forget to look up.

Sry for the necro-bump.

Weirdly enough, Just like the OP, I'm originally from Dallas and never got to see the stars then. As you can imagine, it's even worse in Tokyo. Is it advisable to do a short hike away from the Playa to get away from some of the light pollution? I'm mainly talking about safety in terms of going off the beaten path. Seeing the Milky Way is high on my bucket list, and I'll be damned if I'm ever going to see it in Japan. Even the forests have street lights and vending machines.

[some seeing eye]

Most routes in/out are excellent for taking in stars, and you already have camping capability, right?

[kiss-o-matic]

Most routes in/out are excellent for taking in stars, and you already have camping capability, right?

Yep, sure do. Only down side is is that my tripod sucks for that stuff. Found out the hard way during the lunar eclipse in the winter. Froze my ass off finding it out too! Guess I'll just look.

[Savannah]

BRC tends to burn out the stars, but the playa is a GREAT place for star gazing. There's just too much light pollution as te week goes on; that said don't forget to look up.

Sry for the necro-bump.

Weirdly enough, Just like the OP, I'm originally from Dallas and never got to see the stars then. As you can imagine, it's even worse in Tokyo. Is it advisable to do a short hike away from the Playa to get away from some of the light pollution? I'm mainly talking about safety in terms of going off the beaten path. Seeing the Milky Way is high on my bucket list, and I'll be damned if I'm ever going to see it in Japan. Even the forests have street lights and vending machines.

I did not have to go out to deep playa to see the Milky Way. I was at about 8:45 and G streets, on top of an RV, which kept lanterns and other low lights from interfering. I can't remember if there was a moon or not. But you'll probably know the Milky Way when you see it. It's a Holy Fuck moment. At first you might think you have dust in your eyes . . . but then you realize it's a streaky field of stars. It's crazy. I'm really looking forward to seeing it again. It'll probably be even easier an hour before I hit the playa. (Always look up during your last rest stops. Gorgeous.)

Kiss-O-Matic, start by looking up wherever you find yourself, then go further out as needed.

[Ugly Dougly]

Yeah, the light pollution is not that bad. Compared to the Big City, anyway. Of course, you'll hear folks from the boondocks complaining that you can only see 34,000,000 stars, boohoo.

[Trishntek]

Coming early or staying late are the best skies on the playa! Thursday night before gate opens is really dark! Head straight East from the Temple to the trash fence through the burn week for the best darkness.