Is there a way to measure light pollution in your area?

[emadmoussa]

One grumpy stargazer here...literally wishing upon a star there will be more visible fainted stars...

How do you determine the level of LP in your area?

[Stargazer_00]

Orange = bad

and less humorously, something like this probably: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/unihedron-sky-quality-meters.html

[ArmyAirForce]

Check the table in this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bortle_Dark-Sky_Scale

[The Sailor]

Can't say really, I am surrounded by street lights and depending on the atmosphere will depend how much it causes a problem, at the moment the seeing at the zenith is good but lower down it's not that good. Come midnight the lights go off so things change.

Jim

[Mike73]

If you dont want to spend on a Sky Quality Meter (which is very good btw) you can work out the sky brightness by using the stars in Ursa Minor to give you a Limited Magnitude.

You can download and print off more instructions of how to do that from my blog. http://darkskysketches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/naked-eye-limited-magnitude.html

[laser_jock99]

Another good indicator (if you think you have a darkish site) is how well illuminated the undersides of clouds are. In a good dark sky site clouds should apear black against the stars.

[RikM]

Here is a method and formula for measuring your sky brightness using a DSLR: http://www.pbase.com/samirkharusi/image/37608572

[Champagnerocker]

Another good indicator (if you think you have a darkish site) is how well illuminated the undersides of clouds are. In a good dark sky site clouds should apear black against the stars.

If you are after some clouds then you can have mine