Interest in the cosmos has only increased over the years, with designated Dark Sky Places becoming popular tourist destinations. While this growing trend of dark sky tourism attracts visitors to national parks and areas across the world with minimal light pollution, excellent stargazing can be done right here in Northwest Arkansas.
Ready to venture out? Molly Ussery, president of Sugar Creek Astronomical Society, has a few tips on how to be successful.
Get out in clear weather.
Getting out when the skies are clear is the best bet. “The clearer the sky, the better the seeing is,” Molly says. “Seeing” is a terminology in astronomy. “It's how clear the atmosphere is, how less muddled it is.”
The best weather for stargazing is when it’s cold, she adds. Over the warmer months, look for nights right after a storm moves out.
“When that clears with a low pressure front pushing it out, that low pressure is a drier air, and that makes the seeing good, too,” she says. “Things look brighter.”
Get out of the city.
Venture out and find an area with less light pollution. Molly recommends getting away from the I-49 corridor and outside of town.
More than 30 Arkansas state parks offer campsites that would allow for a perfect overnight stargazing trip.
Get a pair of binoculars.
For those who don’t want to invest in expensive telescopes, a simple pair of binoculars will enhance the experience. Molly recommends getting a 10X50 model to maximize magnification, and a tripod to hold them steady.
Get a good star map and red light flashlight.
Find a star map online and print it off for reference. Molly doesn’t recommend using a cell phone app for stargazing unless the phone has a red-light mode, as the white light will ruin your eyes' adaptation to the darkness.
In this same effort, bring a red light flashlight or headlamp to help you find what you need in the darkness. Or, place a red balloon over a traditional flashlight.
Dress warm and have fun.
Even on a summer evening, it can get cooler than expected, Molly says. She recommends always bringing layers to add for comfort.
A simple pair of binoculars will enhance the experience.
Astronomy Nights
Hobbs State Park is one of the best stargazing locations in Northwest Arkansas, thanks to its expansive size and minimal light pollution. Every other month, the park pairs up with Sugar Creek Astronomical Society to host an astronomy night, where visitors can observe the night sky with guidance and education from experts.
This month’s astronomy night will be held on July 26 at 8 p.m. at the Visitor Center, with Kent Marts and Molly Ussery presenting “Light Pollution. It Impacts Critters, Too!” Visitors can learn about nocturnal creatures and take a night hike on the Van Winkle trail.
Other upcoming dates:
Sept. 27 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 4:30 p.m.