Alderwood Manor
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Alderwood Manor area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Paramount School Park with professional NPS sky reports at Obstruction Point for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Alderwood Manor
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~5.4 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Obstruction Point as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Seattle Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Alderwood Manor offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Alderwood Manor acts as a primary gateway to the Paramount School Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Obstruction Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Alderwood Manor
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Alderwood Manor, wait for the 4-day window surrounding the New Moon each month for the deepest contrast. Since the sun sets early in the late Winter months, you can often begin deep-sky imaging as early as 7 PM.
Expert Tips for Alderwood Manor Observers
When observing from Paramount School Park, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Alderwood Manor residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of WA to capture the lowest magnitude stars that are normally invisible from the city center. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (52.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Alderwood Manor
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Alderwood Manor spots to preserve your night vision.
Paramount School Park
" A short hop from Alderwood Manor, this spot is a top-tier local choice. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" A short hop from Alderwood Manor, this spot is a top-tier local choice. Park in the lower lot near the street. If that lot is full please park in the lot as far from the middle field as you can with your headlights facing away from the fields. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Heading out from Alderwood Manor toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Alderwood Manor observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Thermal Mastery: Set your telescope out an hour early to allow the mirrors to reach 'thermal equilibrium' with the night air. "
Covington Community Park
" A manageable drive from Alderwood Manor, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Alderwood Manor
Rural conditions near Alderwood Manor provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Alderwood Manor
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Seeing the faint magnitude targets listed in these NPS readings often requires the specific gear we've staged for Alderwood Manor nights in our observer field kit.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Alderwood Manor, Obstruction Point serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Transparency remarkably good after yesterday's fire smoke, seeing very good. Few high clouds to the west and north, remnants of fire smoke to the northeast. Direct glare from many very bright lights on Vancouver Island and a few Port Angeles lights, otherwise the high ridges of the Olympic Mountains effectively block any other glare from the Puget Sound area. After moon sets, the zenith is quite dark with the Cygnus Milky Way very detailed, but a broad and fairly bright light dome toward Seattle and Puget Sound dominates the eastern sky. Excellent site for monitoring. Perhaps an area 30 degrees in diameter near the zenith offers reasonable visual observations."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Redoubt - American Camp provide Alderwood Manor residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Light domes all around, Victoria brightest and largest. Class 4. Hazy, fog to the south, high humidity, seeing very good, transparency fair. Sky at 30 degrees altitude and lower much poorer than other parts, airglow cannot be discerned because of light domes and haze. No Zodiacal light, even in AM. Evening hours better, Cygnus milky way at Zenith well displayed but later the entire band looks washed out. Dark adaptation difficult. Port Angeles and Port Townsend visible in early evening, lost in fog late. Puget Sound light dome subdued, Victoria light dome bright but cut off vertically to the south, presumably because of fog. Data sets 1-3 OK, 4th has problem with wire pulling out of camera, no good. 5th incomplete and no good."
Dark Sky Oasis near Alderwood Manor
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Planning a trip to a nearby Dark Sky Park? Ensure your kit is ready by viewing our staged observer advice below.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Alderwood Manor observing community.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
The protected skies at Antelope, Oregon represent a vital astronomical asset for the Alderwood Manor observing community.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Alderwood Manor
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Local astronomy clubs are great for testing gear; see what we suggest for Alderwood Manor residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for Alderwood Manor Nights
"With such a short hop from Alderwood Manor to the stars, your gear kit should prioritize "setup speed." Use a stable Alt-Az mount that lets you start viewing the moment you park."
The Alderwood Manor Field Kit
When observing near Alderwood Manor, the local atmospheric stability and the immediate access to verified hubs are your primary logistical factors. Since Paramount School Park offers a specific Class 4 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.