Beebe.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Beebe, AR. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Beebe
- Top Community Pick: River Ridge Observatory (~41.6 miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Log Cabins
- Local Experts: Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots
Stargazing in Beebe is surprisingly rewarding if you know exactly where to set up your tripod. While enthusiasts often gather at River Ridge Observatory for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Log Cabins provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 6.0. The transition between the urban infrastructure of Beebe and the more rural stretches of AR creates several ‘dark sky’ corridors.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Beebe
Since Beebe sits in a transitional light zone, viewing is best during the New Moon or after midnight when some commercial lighting is reduced.
Expert Tips for Beebe Observers
Because River Ridge Observatory is a developed site, it often features established viewing pads and specialized equipment. A medium-aperture telescope is ideal for resolving the rings of Saturn and bright star clusters this location. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Arkansas Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
River Ridge Observatory
" 'Please consider bringing a red lensed flashlight. "
Oley E Rooker Library
" Next, we will go over the features of the library's loaner Orion Star blast tabletop telescope so you can look at the moon with this easy to use Newtonian reflector. If the sky is clear, we'll go outside to the parking lot and see what we can see with our eyes and also use the volunteers' telescopes. "
Woolly Hollow State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
" {'Meet at the arboretum'} "
Woolly Hollow State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Log Cabins
Fort Donelson NB
"SQM of 20.47 at 2035 local time. Only fair transparency and seeing. Some fast moving clouds. High humidity. Milky Way visible from 20 degrees above north horizon. Great rift visible, Saggitarius cloud not easily visible, Scutum cloud not visible. Milky Way about 10-12 degrees wide, but faint and no fine details. To the NW a blue white light dome easily seen. Due East is the Clarksville lightdome almost 25 degrees high and 15 degrees wide. Core is bright. Adjacent to the light dome is a spotlight (which we determined was coming from the cemetary here in FODO park). To the West and Southwest is another lightdome fainter than Clarksville, but brighter than the Milky Way"
Veterans Lake
Chickasaw NRA
"Clear sky. The area right above the horizon appears bright from all the directions. Milky Way is impressive overhead but lasks the details of the bright/dark structure. Light dome extends up to about 60 degrees above the horizon."
International Dark Sky Parks
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Local Astronomy Clubs
Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.