Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Capt. Midnight
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Viewing spots in ne NJ

#1

Post by Capt. Midnight »


Does anyone know any good spots around northern New Jersey?
I thought I had a decent spot. It was in a big public park in upstate New York. Just as I was setting up my stuff back in the woods, I heard Mexican music BLASTING from the parking lot. I think they were having a rave. So I hightailed it out of there. That’s probably why you’re not supposed to be in the park after sunset.
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Ylem United States of America
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#2

Post by Ylem »


I used to live in Ringwood, next to Ringwood State Park.
Very dark, lots of trees, but there was a baseball field at the entrance. The rangers
won't bother you.

I think that entrance was at the end of Skylands Rd.
Clear Skies,
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#3

Post by Capt. Midnight »


Ylem wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:05 pm I used to live in Ringwood, next to Ringwood State Park.
Very dark, lots of trees, but there was a baseball field at the entrance. The rangers
won't bother you.

I think that entrance was at the end of Skylands Rd.
Thanks, Jeff. That’s just what I needed. I’ll check it out. Rob
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#4

Post by Lady Fraktor »


You can also check the Dark Sky map for a location around you.
https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conser ... sp/finder/
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#5

Post by Capt. Midnight »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:20 pm You can also check the Dark Sky map for a location around you.
https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conser ... sp/finder/
Thanks.
That website only has designated international dark places, right? Not smaller, local unofficial places?
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by Lady Fraktor »


Try this one out, I posted the wrong one :)
https://www.cleardarksky.com/maps/lp/la ... n_map.html
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by AstroBee »


Sky Meadows State Park, though I'm not too familiar with the NE and don't know how far a drive that is for you. It's west of Baltimore.
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by Capt. Midnight »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 8:46 pm Try this one out, I posted the wrong one :)
https://www.cleardarksky.com/maps/lp/la ... n_map.html
The map worked, but I couldn’t get it to show light conditions.
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by Lady Fraktor »


Strange...
Try this, there should be a link at top: David Lorenz's Light Pollution Atlas 2016
Click on that and see if it takes you to the section where you can pick which map to view.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


I had the same issue a few years ago. Then joined the local astro club. Club's dark site is safe and secure to be alone at night.
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Ylem United States of America
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by Ylem »


I'm assuming you are in or near Bergen or Passaic county, I was a member of this one, just up 17 http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/
Probably one of the best clubs in the country IMHO.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#12

Post by Capt. Midnight »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:27 pm Strange...
Try this, there should be a link at top: David Lorenz's Light Pollution Atlas 2016
Click on that and see if it takes you to the section where you can pick which map to view.
I don’t see a link
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#13

Post by Capt. Midnight »


Bigzmey wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:31 pm I had the same issue a few years ago. Then joined the local astro club. Club's dark site is safe and secure to be alone at night.
Is it near me?
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by Capt. Midnight »


Ylem wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 12:17 am I'm assuming you are in or near Bergen or Passaic county, I was a member of this one, just up 17 http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/
Probably one of the best clubs in the country IMHO.
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, Bergen. I think I’m going to join RAC.
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

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Post by lostone »


Ylem wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:05 pm I used to live in Ringwood, next to Ringwood State Park.
Very dark, lots of trees, but there was a baseball field at the entrance. The rangers
won't bother you.

I think that entrance was at the end of Skylands Rd.
New York now requires you to have a permit/pass to be in any of the parks after dark and they only give them out during a short timeline during the year.

Bureaucracy at it's best, NOT
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Re: Viewing spots in ne NJ

#16

Post by GCoyote »


lostone wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:22 pm
Ylem wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:05 pm I used to live in Ringwood, next to Ringwood State Park.
Very dark, lots of trees, but there was a baseball field at the entrance. The rangers
won't bother you.

I think that entrance was at the end of Skylands Rd.
New York now requires you to have a permit/pass to be in any of the parks after dark and they only give them out during a short timeline during the year.

Bureaucracy at it's best, NOT

You may have to look at camping areas were being there after dark is sort of a given.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
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