The "Milky Way" test of a boondocking site
I know there are many definitions of boondocking, and that is a good thing. But here is one possible test -- if you are not in a campground and you can see the Milky Way under clear skies, you are re...
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This shot was taken in early March of 2020, a few days before Covid arrived. This was taken on BLM land near Tioga Pass – that's Parker Peak, right under Orion. There was some moonlight, which interferes with the stars, but the snow was shining brightly:
Click For Full-Size Image.
And this next shot was taken in early April of 2021, just after we were fully vaccinated. This was also taken on BLM land, east of Capitol Reef National Park. The mountains in this photo are part of the Waterpocket Fold.
There were so many stars that it was hard to see the constellations. In this shot, Orion's sword is directly over the trailer. Sirius is in the upper left. And there is a faint meteor trail near Betelgeuse, which we did not see until we got home and viewed the photo on the computer.
Click For Full-Size Image.
The stars were so bright that after our eyes had fully adapted to the darkness, we could see pretty well, even though the bright galactic center of the Milky Way had not yet risen above the horizon. There was no light pollution at all at this campsite -- some of the darkest skies we've ever seen. It's very rare that the only light to be seen is starlight, all the way down to the horizon, with no artificial light at all.
I'm hoping to see the bright part of the Milky Way again this summer – it has been almost two years without seeing it.
Click For Full-Size Image.And this next shot was taken in early April of 2021, just after we were fully vaccinated. This was also taken on BLM land, east of Capitol Reef National Park. The mountains in this photo are part of the Waterpocket Fold.
There were so many stars that it was hard to see the constellations. In this shot, Orion's sword is directly over the trailer. Sirius is in the upper left. And there is a faint meteor trail near Betelgeuse, which we did not see until we got home and viewed the photo on the computer.
Click For Full-Size Image.The stars were so bright that after our eyes had fully adapted to the darkness, we could see pretty well, even though the bright galactic center of the Milky Way had not yet risen above the horizon. There was no light pollution at all at this campsite -- some of the darkest skies we've ever seen. It's very rare that the only light to be seen is starlight, all the way down to the horizon, with no artificial light at all.
I'm hoping to see the bright part of the Milky Way again this summer – it has been almost two years without seeing it.
