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Use as a guide to find the darkest sky locations near you. Find the best dark sky places in MD for stargazing and night-sky viewing. Light pollution maps, Bortle maps, and list of parks and IDS-certified locations.
- Map of Where to Go Stargazing in Maryland
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Assateague Island
- Bear Branch Recreation Park
- City of Greenbelt Observatory
- Gaithersburg Observatory Park
- Green Ridge State Forest
- Kent Island
- St. John’s College Observatory and Planetarium
- UMD Astronomy Observatory
By popular request, I’ve added a map to this post to help make it easier to understand where each of the best spots for stargazing in Maryland can be found. I hope this helps you plan the ultimate stargazing trip!
Located in Arnold, Anne Arundel Community Collegeand its associated observatory is one of the best spots for stargazing in Maryland, especially if you’re a beginner. The observatory is open to the public and hosts numerous monthly events to introduce newbies to astronomy and the art of stargazing. Its location is also privileged to allow you a deep...
If you’re wondering where to stargaze in Maryland to spot the Milky Way, Assateague Islandis a location like no other. A 37-mile-long barrier island, a stargazing place of choice for people who enjoy astrophotography. It is easy to see why. The juxtaposition of the Milky Way against the rolling waves fits the definition of a dream shot for me. As a...
Bear Branch Recreation Parkin Westminster is one of the most family-friendly spots for stargazing in Maryland. The park houses the Bear Branch Nature Center, home to a 40-seat planetarium offering three stationary telescopes. Everyone can visit the facility for free and participate in the planetarium’s numerous guided night sky tours. The Westminst...
Run by the ASG, the City of Greenbelt strives to make the vast universe and its wonders available to everyone. The observatoryand its staff offer a bunch of activities for rookies to advanced-stargazers. They host astronomy lectures, star parties, and occasional simulation and virtual-reality software presentations for modeling space. Their monthly...
Gaithersburg Observatory Parkis an obligatory stop for astronomy buffs who want to learn more about the historical background of this fascinating science. Built in 1899, this historic observatory was one among a worldwide network of six observatories established at the end of the 19th century. The observatories cooperated to measure how the Earth w...
Arguably one of the most scenic spots to go stargazing in Maryland, Green Ridge State Forestis a 49,000-acre state forest in Western Maryland. The forest is the largest contiguous block of public land in the state and sits only an hour away from Hagerstown, far enough from urban centers to retain its dark skies. The best news for stargazers is that...
The largest island in the Chesapeake Bay, Kent Islandis a man-made beach brimming with the characteristic charm of seaside towns. It is an ideal spot for stargazers who like to surf the night sky by the sea. While the island doesn’t provide the darkest skies, you can still find decent areas to set your telescope. You’ll have better luck down at the...
If you’re in Annapolis, you can stop by St. John’s College Observatory and Planetarium. The Observatory and Planetarium are open to the public and run stargazing sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings throughout the academic year. Everyone can attend their astronomical events, although the staff encourages visitors to contact the planetarium in a...
Opened in 1964, UMD Astronomy Observatoryis another Maryland stargazing spots you should consider. The observatory is your best bet if you want your kids to take their first steps in stargazing. Its most famous events are the open houses hosted on the 5th and 20th of each month. The open house starts with a 30-minute lecture where visitors learn ab...
Find locations suitable for stargazing, a light pollution map, accessibility by car, space to park, travel time & distance, weather conditions and lunar phase.
3 days ago · An observatory of the Tri-State Astronomers. Centered on the Visitor Center of the refuge. Home of public star nights held by the Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. A private observatory owned by Jerry Persall and open to visitors by appointment. A Memorial Scout Reservation used, with permission, as a dark-sky site by the Harford ...
1 day ago · This map shows where astronomy-specific weather forecasts, or "clear sky charts", are available. The colors of the markers indicate amount of light pollution there (colors defined here ). You can: Click on a maker to display a the small version of the chart, and link to the full version. Click and drag to pan the map.
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Feb 25, 2023 · Read on, and enjoy the glorious nighttime photos of this amazing dark sky park in Maryland. You've probably heard of Assateague Island, or have even been there as part of an annual family tradition. Google Maps. Assateague Island is a barrier island, with two-thirds in Maryland and the southern third in Virginia.
The years 2006, 2016, 2020, and 2022 can all be selected on the map. When comparing year to year, sadly the trend is not good for stargazers. Truly dark skies are harder to find than ever. But they’re still worth the effort to see. Hopefully this map will continue to help you find the best dark sites for stargazing. How to Use This Map.
