Tracking down observing sites

[Ratlet]

Does anyone have advice for tracking down decent observing sites short of driving around and hoping.  Like a list of Google map terms that will usually throw up places in the countryside with a carpark or similar?

My garden is obscured pretty much below 30° which to be honest is fine for most things but I'd like to look at the planets.  I'm near the east coast in Angus so I can get to the coast and get some horizon east and south, hopefully with minimal LP.

[Giles_B]

Personally I start with looking at the levels of light pollution using https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/

Then I either visit the place in the day or use google street view to work out likely sites - it should give you a good sense of the level of the horizon.

[Zermelo]

There are some websites that have curated lists of locations, e.g.

https://gostargazing.co.uk/location-map/
https://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk/dark-sky-discovery-sites/map.html
https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/dark-sky-campsites

Or you could do some research based on generic sky pollution maps:

https://www.lightpollutionmap.info

but it might be difficult to be sure of factors like land ownership, access and opening hours, safety.

Have you looked at joining a local astronomical society? Local knowledge is often the best.

http://www.astronomyclubs.co.uk/Clubs/Counties.aspx

 

[jamesc96]

I've just started, but looking at light pollution maps and then finding mountains/hiking routes within dark spots. I've found that popular mountains for hiking often have a car park nearby and these are perfect to observe from. They are normally without street lights and no one is around at night.

[jamesc96]

Also keep an eye out for local astronomy events and just use the same location at a different time

[Macavity]

On 07/08/2022 at 07:55, Ratlet said:

My garden is obscured pretty much below 30° which to be honest is fine for most things but I'd like to look at the planets.  I'm near the east coast in Angus so I can get to the coast and get some horizon east and south, hopefully with minimal LP.

I think you have the right idea! The tops of HILLS work well for lower horizons.
(A couple of those near to me!) Sometimes the limiting magnitude improves
quite quickly in a short distance. BIG / Local light sources get obscured etc. 😎

Can be a bit harder to find sites directly accessible from a vehicle. Sometimes
a short stroll, along a country lane (by day) turns into a GRIM MUD SLIDE by
night. lol. A head-torch helps? But you do guarantee safety from intruders! 😅