2018 VIIRS Light Pollution - Legend: Dark Bright
- My Backyard: Conditions
VIIRS Light Pollution: 2.68
Travel Time: none
Advantages: No travel time.
Access to red-lit workshop to grab scopes and check sky maps.
Decent north and east horizons.
Disadvantages: Nearby baseball park occasionally has bright lights, mostly in the summer months.
Lights from neighbors.
Sky glow from Pensacola and Pace to the south.
Trees to the west and south horizons. - Parents' House: Conditions
VIIRS Light Pollution: 1.27
Travel Time: 4 minutes
My parent back yard is another option.
Advantages: Minimal travel time.
Good horizons in pretty much all directions.
Neighbors tend to turn off lights. Security lights are distant.
Disadvantages: Nearby baseball park occasionally has bright lights on until 10PM.
Sky glow from Pensacola to the south.
Light pollution only a little better than my own back yard. - Santa Rosa Soccer and Horse Complex: Conditions
VIIRS Light Pollution: 0.97
Travel Time: 9 minutes
Contacted the parks department, and although they technically close at 10PM, they said they do not care if I set up my telescope there after dark.
Advantages: Minimal travel time.
Excellent horizons in pretty much all directions. It is 58 acres of soccer fields next to a large heliport and open farms.
No nearby lights, so long as the field lights are off. Better light pollution index than my back yard.
Park bathrooms.
Disadvantages: Officially closes at 10PM, but I have Parks department permission.
Park may be in use until it closes.
A private school is being built nearby, so light conditions may change soon. - Fidelis Community Center and Park: Conditions
VIIRS Light Pollution: 1.31
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Contacted the parks department, and although they technically close at 10PM, they said they do not care if I set up my telescope there after dark.
Advantages: Low light pollution index.
Park bathrooms.
Disadvantages: Officially closes at 10PM, but I have Parks department permission.
Park may be in use until it closes.
Somewhat distant. - Wells Observing Site: Conditions
VIIRS Light Pollution: 0.42
Travel Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
This is a 20 acre tree farm owned by my parents in Holmes County, FL. When the trees have been cleared, this is an excellent location. The land is in a very dark and unpopulated area.
Advantages: I could go there whenever I want.
Excellent horizons [when trees are cleared]
No lights at all, very low light pollution index.
Disadvantages: Only would have access to nature's bathrooms.
Quite distant, so trips here would take a bit of planning.
Remote location, no nearby amenities.