How dark can I get?

Posted by mcbras on

Have you ever wonder where you can get the most dark site next to you? I have, so I googled it and came across with Google Maps Mania that has a link to a great light pollution map called The Blue Marble Nightlights, where you can have a pretty close idea about where you should be heading to next time you pack your stuff to go into the field. And the best of it…IT’S worldwide!!! Unfortunately, for me I really need to travel some 150 Km at least to get to a very nice dark site, which means I have to set a logistic operation about snacks and emergency kits. Anyways, no one told it would be easy.

 

For the time being, I do most of my astrophotography 50 Km south from where I live, the skies there go to magnitude 5 or so and windless! For visual observation I may go as far as 15 Km, it fits most of my observations, but I then need to use a light pollution filter, which I still have to buy. That’s my next item in the purchase list!

This is It

Posted by mcbras on

 

Just like anything else, there’s a starting point, and This is It (not the Jackson’s show!).

Broadcasted from the (always) sunny Portugal, I hope I can write some astronomy related stuff. Not a Pro nor a well-educated person in this subject, I’m just a hobbyist trying to learn and enjoy what the Portuguese skies have to offer, and share it with you.