Stargazing Guides
Stargazing guides: the best time to go, what a dark sky reserve is, what to wear, photographing the Milky Way, whether a tour is worth it, and the best stargazing in the US.
Are Stargazing Tours Worth It? When a Tour Earns Its Price
Are stargazing tours worth it? Yes when they bring telescopes, a guide, the drive or access you lack; no when a free viewpoint shows the same sky. Ten places, case by case.
Read guide →The Best Stargazing in the US, From Mauna Kea to the Utah Parks
The best stargazing in the US: Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Death Valley and Joshua Tree in California, Utah's dark sky parks and Arizona's observatories, compared with tours.
Read guide →The Best Time to Go Stargazing: the Moon, the Month and the Hour
The best time to go stargazing is a clear night near the new moon, after full darkness. When the Milky Way core is up, which months work where, and the worst times to go.
Read guide →The Darkest Stargazing Destinations, Ranked by Published Sky Readings
Ten stargazing destinations ranked by their published sky-brightness readings, with where and when each was measured, the Bortle estimate, designation and best months.
Read guide →How to Photograph the Milky Way: Settings, Focus and the Exposure Rules
How to photograph the Milky Way: tripod, manual mode, the widest aperture, ISO 3200 to 6400 and a shutter from the 500 or NPF rule. Focus, phones, and when the core is up.
Read guide →What Is a Dark Sky Reserve, and How It Differs From a Dark Sky Park
A dark sky reserve is a large protected area with a dark core and a lit periphery whose lighting rules protect it. Reserves, parks, communities, sanctuaries and preserves explained.
Read guide →What to Wear Stargazing, and What the Tours Lend You
What to wear stargazing: warm layers, a hat, gloves and closed shoes, because you stand still at night, often at altitude. What each tour lends, from parkas to heated chairs.
Read guide →Ready to book? Browse all stargazing tours →