Bortle rating

[Buzz Lightyear]

Hi,

i live in swindon and a few miles out on white horse hill which is a few hundred meters high has a bortle rating of 5.3, is this any good for observation?

p.

[Altair40]

I'm from that area and would of thought, yes it is :-)

Maybe you should just have a try - it'll be a pretty atmospheric experience anyway!

[pete_l]

I wouldn't worry too much about the Bortle rating - it's hugely subjective. From my fading memory of that whole area, I'd reckon anywhere near the road down to Devizes would be a good place to start. Just aim for minimum streetlights

[acey]

The Bortle Scale is integer only - do you mean limiting magnitude? At 5.3 you would just about be able to see the Milky Way.

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

[Talitha]

I've never cared too much for the Bortle Scale, and it seems i'm in good company.

Here's some info on it, written by the Associate Editor of Sky & Telescope Magazine: link

[Buzz Lightyear]

thats good, thanks everyone.