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- It is located between Indiana Dunes State Park and Beverly Shores, the 7th designated Interntional Dark Sky Community in the world.
www.nps.gov/indu/stargazing.htmStargazing - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park ...
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Nov 9, 2023 · Whether a seasoned astronomer, brand new to spending time under the night sky, or call Indiana home, here are some of the best spots for stargazing in Indiana. Embarking on an astronomy adventure, you’ll soon quickly realize that Indiana’s beauty isn’t just grounded on earth, but is also mirrored in the stars above.
- The Best Spots For Stargazing in Indianapolis
- Stargazing Spots Within 1 Hour of Indianapolis
- Rgazing Spots Within 2.5 Hours of Indianapolis
- Space Experiences & Planetariums in Indianapolis
- Best Time of Year to Go Stargazing in Indianapolis
- Can You See The Milky Way in Indianapolis?
Below, you’ll find a map of stargazing spots in Indianapolis and the surrounding region. Read on to learn more about each of these spots and what makes them good for stargazing.
Goethe Link Observatory
39 minutes southwest of Indy, Goethe Link Observatory is operated by Indiana University Astronomy Department in the town of Martinsville. The observatory is home to a 0.91-m reflector and a 10-inch astrograph; the reflector dates back to 1939. The Indiana Astronomical Society hosts events here occasionally. Be sure to check their events calendarto see if one is upcoming. 8403 Observatory Rd, Martinsville, astro.indiana.edu
McCloud Nature Park
McCloud Nature Park is another, more popular spot used by the Indiana Astronomical Society for events (during the summer months, they can be as often as weekly!). 49 minutes west of downtown Indy by car, McCloud Nature Park is a great family option, as they often offer other programming during the day that appeals to all ages. 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, hendrickscountyparks.org
Kirkwood Observatory
Kirkwood Observatory is located on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. While that might not seem like an ideal place to see the night sky due to light pollution, but it’s a great spot if you’re in the area or planning a weekend south of Indy. It’s a 75-minute drive by car; they hold open houses regularly if you check the website to see when they’ll be open. 119 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, astro.indiana.edu
West Lafayette Observatory
75 minutes in the other direction, West Lafayette Observatory is operated by the Wabash Valley Astronomical Society. Roughly once per month, the society hosts open house events where the public can come and see the night sky. On these nights you can come peer through telescopes to see the planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies. 600 Cumberland Ave, West Lafayette, wvastro.org
Turkey Run State Park
If you want to plan an easy weekend stargazing trip, consider Turkey Run State Park. It’s an 80-minute drive from downtown Indy to Turkey Run; a bit far for a single night but ideal for escaping the city’s light pollution. There are regular planetarium programs you can attend, then spend the evening afterward admiring the night sky if the weather is good. 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, in.gov/dnr/parklake
If you can’t make it to one of these stargazing spots, there are other options. Here are a few of the planetariums you could plan to visit. 1. The Schaefer Planetarium & Space Object Theater at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is your best bet in Indy. This planetarium is great for families. There’s also a fantastic Beyond Spaceship Earthexhib...
If you’re curious about the best time of year for stargazing in Indianapolis, it’s important to keep in mind air temperature, humidity, and cloud cover. Considering those factors, the best months for stargazing in Indianapolis are mid-September to October. That means Indianapolis is a great destination to try and see the Draconids and Orionids mete...
Like most major cities, it’s impossible to see the Milky Wayin the Indianapolis downtown area. There’s too much light pollution; this obscures the delicate features our eyes can see in our galaxy. Instead, head 1-2 hours out of Indianapolis and you should be able to find a dark enough spot to see the Milky Way during the months when it is visible. ...
Sep 11, 2023 · Where to Enjoy. Visitors can best view stars and the Milky Way on a clear night and moonless nights. While stars can be seen all along the shore, light pollution from surrounding communities does impact Indiana Dunes' night skies—so some areas of the park are darker than others.
Jul 2, 2024 · Summer is the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere without a telescope. The key is to find clear, dark skies on moonless nights.
Mar 27, 2019 · Look up! Explore the night sky on your own. Under the right conditions, you can see the hazy outlines of the Milky Way in the South Shore. There are a variety of apps available on your smartphone to help you navigate the stars.
- Erika Dahl
Find locations suitable for stargazing, a light pollution map, accessibility by car, space to park, travel time & distance, weather conditions and lunar phase.
Generally speaking, the best time to see the Milky Way is during the Milky Way season, which goes from February to October, usually between 00:00 and 5:00, and on nights with a new moon. This, however, will vary depending on the hemisphere, your latitude, and other factors like the moon phase.
