Featured photo credit: jean-baptistefournier via Flickr. Beautiful for a handful of reasons, Mount Pleasant was a grand country estate and farm when it was built in the late 1700s. To submit your own club, museum, observatory, planetarium or special-interest group, please use our Clubs & Organizations submission form . Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. "Most people already have a pair lying around in their house. 2000 Belmont Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, phila.gov. Derrick Pitts, the chief astronomer and planetarium director for the Franklin Institute, also recommended French Creek State Park as a good spot toward the west. A spot near the summit of Piney Mountain, used by the Chesmont Astronomical Society and called DS-3. The lack of development that reduces light pollution and makes for great stargazing conditions. Find campsites in places where dark sky experts predict the least amount of light pollution.. Cape May is a popular vacation destination, but it also has decent dark skies – especially looking south and east out over the Atlantic. As part of The Franklin Institute's health and safety protocols, seating in the Fels Planetarium is limited. If you’re visiting in late April each year, check out all the locations where you can go stargazing! On the weekends during the months of May to October, they have a nightly fountain show with lights… and after the show has ended is a perfect time to do some stargazing from this area. If the weather isn't cooperating, the groups usually pick one to two rain dates for events. 175 W Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, umtownship.org. ", "It's really hard in the city to find good spots," Stein said. Like others on this list, it’s managed by the Physics and Astronomy department. Below, you can explore a map of stargazing spots and observatories around the Philly area. Do you have other questions about stargazing in Philadelphia? If you’re keen to see our galactic neighborhood head to one of the two-hour destinations we highlighted above. Math Physics Astronomy Library. This is also about 45 minutes northeast from Philly (very similar to Bradstreet Observatory). Can the city of Brotherly Love also be the city for people who love stargazing? Under the best conditions, the Milky Way is so bright it actually casts a shadow! City lights won't help you at least in 30Km radius around Pune. But if you're willing to shell out a few bucks, the astronomers I spoke with also recommended SkySafari (free to $19.99) for iOS. Please contact them for any public outreach programs. And while binoculars are good for looking at one object, like a planet or a star, tracking constellations is easier with just your eyes. In addition to solar viewings at the Franklin Institute, you can visit the planetarium there (website). The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of amateur astronomy clubs and societies. As part of the National Park Service system, you can access the Delaware Water Gap Natural Recreation Area to enjoy hiking, boating, and more. View just after sunset. Bonus! 3101 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, physics.drexel.edu. Many national parks offer night sky programs, from telescope astronomy events to full moon walks with rangers. (Local time for Philadelphia is … Weather is also another factor — going out on a night with low humidity means that you'll be able to see more because there are fewer clouds. Widener uses their observatory for students and faculty to study the wonders of the universe. Founded in 2004 by amateur astronomers with the goal of sharing astronomy with the others, Skies Unlimited seeks to help people navigate the astronomy world with advice and experience. In Stargazing Guide by Valerie StimacMarch 28, 20191 Comment. Want to plan an overnight stargazing trip – or even better, make a weekend of it? "The darkest place in the area is Lake Nockamixon [in Bucks County]," Lee Zagar, the copresident of the Bucks-Montgomery Astronomical Association, said. This will maximize your stargazing time and minimize your time stuck in traffic. Stash moved to the area 15 years ago from Philadelphia, where he’d worked as an ER nurse. "In the summer, you don't want to forget the bug spray.". I am interested in observing nigh sky, planets, and stars within tri-state area. 2. ", (Celestron makes a reliable pair of 7×50 binoculars and 15×70 binoculars, both of which you can purchase on Amazon. $21.95. You can visit the observatory on select evenings throughout the year (usually Saturdays and Sundays) and see the moon, planets, double stars, star clusters, and more. Here's our guide on everything you need to know to go stargazing in Philly and the surrounding areas, including the darkest spots, the best gear to have on hand, and tips from the most experienced astronomers in the area. The colors of the blocks are the colors from CMC's forecast maps for that hour. Every member of our team is an active amateur astronomer, with both professional and personal experience to draw from while working with you. Not all observatories may be open to the public. Bea Mazziotta of Broomall, PA at a telescope during a stargazing event with the Chester County Astronomical Society at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve in Avondale, PA on Sept. 29, 2018. Make a Contribution. Villanova Observatory is one of the most accessible, open Monday through Thursday nights during the Fall and Spring semesters. If you do want a telescope, Dulsky said that you shouldn't pay less than $300 for one of decent quality. They might not feel the enormity of the universe, but young skygazers might be awed by the size and scope of the amazing views. On Android, you can also explore SkEye and Sky Map. Yes, it turns out! They also host public viewing nights about once per month. Libraries. Reducing the light pollution even a little by getting some distance from the major light sources of the city will open up new wonders in the night sky. The Best Spots for Stargazing in Philadelphia, Best Stargazing Spots within One Hour of Philadelphia, Best Stargazing Spots within Two Hours of Philadelphia. Pitts said that good exposure in the west and south directions are the most important because that's where you'll be able to spot the highest number of objects and constellations in the skies. The issue is that if you do and try and plan time at a park, most of our parks close at dusk.". Those spots are hard to come by because you have to go to parks or college campuses. Those cool-looking $300 telescopes on Amazon? If you live in the Philly area, you’ve likely heard of the Illuminated Fountains Performances at Longwood Gardens. December 30: Moon and Pollux. Named the first International Dark Sky Park in the Eastern U.S. and the second in the world to be ranked as Gold Tier, it’s easy to see why night sky enthusiasts flock to the park. But the farther from sources of … Other parks also have night sky programs, so be sure to check with your park if you are interested. French Creek State Park is a sprawling green space with lakes, trails, and more. It's local time, in 24hr format. Cherry Springs State Park is world-famous for being one the best places in the USA for stargazing and the study of astronomy. August is especially good, what with warmer weather and the Perseids meteor shower. Clouds moved in to cause an early end to the evening. ), "In cooler months, you'll also need to bundle up in scarves, coats, and jackets," Dwight Dulsky, the copresident of the Bucks-Montgomery Astronomical Association, said. The best part is that it’s only an hour from downtown Philly if you decide to go stargazing here. Readers asked us where they can go stargazing in the area through Curious Philly, our new question-and-response forum that allows you to submit questions about your community you want us to look into. Astronomy enjoyment, outreach and education. But, they hold public viewing sessions too. Can You See the Milky Way in Philadelphia? The stargazing parties held by the Seattle Astronomical Society at places like Green Lake in the city and Rattlesnake Ledge a short ways outside of it out of it are fun way to learn about our the planets and constellations. The Franklin Institute hosts a Citywide Star Party as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival each year. "You can easily turn off the main road and find a little side road and do a little sky observing. ", Aside from that, Stein also suggested looking for a place with higher elevation because that contributes to a clear horizon. Technically the day use areas close at sundown, so if you want to have a good long stargazing session, consider making a reservation for the campground and do an overnight trip. On those nights, you can ascend to the roof of one of the Drexel buildings for an evening of guided observation. Drive southeast to White Sands National Monument, and you’ll find more excellent stargazing sites complete with star parties, too. Designated as Pennsylvania's only official "Dark Sky Park," it is a coveted area for both professional astronomers and starstruck lovers alike. (Yes, that means you'll need to have a compass on you.). “There’s so much that you can learn that there’s really no opportunity to get bored.”, © 2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC Terms of Use/Privacy Policy/California Notice California residents do not sell my data request. The Delaware Water Gap has over 70,000 acres of wilderness area free from light pollution. ... Astronomy Gifts. Ask in the comments. Amazon workers plan Black Friday strikes and protests. "We have an observatory there because it's in a low light-polluted area.". This remote park is one of the best places to stargaze on the East Coast and is one of the few International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. For the sake of stargazing, keep your flashlight angled to the ground or use a red light filter to help protect the skies. But at the end of the night, keeping an open mind is the most important quality to a good stargazing session. Experts are standing by to answer your astronomy questions! That doesn’t stop them from having one of the best stargazing opportunities in any major city. The reason why I like doing this is because there are a number of Wawas along the road for a coffee and pie. Operated by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, Naylor Observatory is at the very limit in terms of distance we recommend in these stargazing guides. Plan ahead and reserve a campsite to enjoy dark skies and good stargazing too! You can find contact info to learn more about upcoming public viewing nights on the Eastern University site (linked below). There are 14 astronomical observatories in the state of Pennsylvania that feature professional telescopes used for astronomy research. 8-9:30pm; adults, $5-10; kids, free The mission of the Astronomical League is to promote the science of astronomy through encouraging public interest via local astronomy clubs. Dark Sky Sites in Pennsylvania Astronomy clubs often use dark sky sites as their preferred viewing locations if nearby. This means you can enjoy watching the stars come out while you listen to music. Also see all Dark Sky Sites. 209 S 33rd St. Philadelphia, … There are few amateur astronomers groups who organise stargazing sessions. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is located in the heart of Philly. Below, you can explore a map of stargazing spots and observatories around the Philly area. Philadelphia might not seem like a stargazing destination, but among the cities we’ve created stargazing guides for, it has some of the best in-city stargazing options we’ve found. Also see Physics & Astronomy Colleges in Pennsylvania. ), Stein also recommended having a red light or a piece of red cellophane on hand because white light from flashlights and phone screens messes up your night vision. Currently their membership consists of over 240 organizations across the United States. This summer’s dates have already been announced. You have a 66%-75% chance of clear skies on any given night, on average. This bridge spans the Delaware River and there are some nearby nature preserves (like Bowman’s Hill) that also offer good dark sky spots. If you’re hoping for clear skies so you can go stargazing in Philly, you might be surprised: every month has between 7-10 days of rain. Average cloud cover per month also correlates with precipitation in Philadelphia, too. Haverford College, Walton Ln, Ardmore, haverford.edu. While you might not expect a big city like Philadelphia to have good stargazing spots, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Eastern Unversity operates Bradstreet Observatory on their campus in Saint David, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Philadelphia. Harvard is a little way out for many of us, but that's exactly why stargazing is so special there. In this post, we break down the best places for stargazing in Philadelphia, plus other recommendations on space experiences in Philadelphia and when to plan your trip if you want to do some stargazing in Philly. In fact, most of the park is a good place to escape light pollution. Astronomers are more than happy to answer any questions and make recommendations for gear. (For that reason, she also recommended printing a star chart beforehand and staying away from phone screens. However, unlike most observatories, you’ll need to make a reservation for one of the public sessions in advance (they recommend 3-4 months in advance!) Philadelphia Weather: Sleet Mix Falling In And Around City As Heavy Snow Continues In Western SuburbsPrecipitation is likely to commence for most by mid-afternoon, become heavy in … "But if you go stargazing with an astronomy group, many longtime astronomers will bring their telescopes for you to look through," he added. 800 E. Lancaster Ave, Villanova, villanova.edu. Longwood Gardens is about one hour from downtown Philly. Click the link to get answers on telescopes, binoculars, astrophotography, observing techniques, astrophysics, and "getting started". This 80-acre park might not cover a large space, but it does offer the unique opportunity to go stargazing in the Okefenokee Swamp, the country’s largest blackwater swamp. "Rooftops can be really good if surrounding lights are pointing downwards. In addition to finding astronomy clubs near me, you'll find here planetariums, observatories, museums, and other great resources, all of which appear in our directory of clubs and organizations. It will help you identify spots that are darker than others. It takes a full two hours to reach Naylor Observatory from Philadelphia. Lots of Philly locals who love stargazing say that the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge is a great stargazing spot. Clouds moved in to cause an early end to the evening. In the summer months, the town of King of Prussia hosts weekly Concerts Under the Stars in Upper Merion Township Park. Taping red cellophane over a flashlight keeps your eyes from fluctuating back and forth between day and night vision. The Joel N. Bloom Observatory has several telescopes that allow you to view the sun, moon, planets, and other objects in our solar system and beyond. 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