Vent: Everyone says you need a dark sky site to see the Milky Way

I read a paper from the University of Utah that said under perfect conditions, you can actually see its core structure from a Bortle Class 4 zone, which is just outside most suburbs. It completely changed how I plan my viewing nights. Has anyone actually managed to spot the galactic core from their own backyard?

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3 Comments

adams.vera6mo ago

Wait, Bortle 4 is actually pretty dark. That's like, real rural. My backyard is class 6 and I can only see a faint smudge. You might need to drive a bit.

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bailey.terry6mo ago

Depends on the night honestly. My spot is Bortle 4 and the milky way is still pretty washed out. Wouldn't call it truly dark.

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ramirez.blair6mo ago

The University of Utah paper said Bortle 4, not a backyard in the suburbs.

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