Carlinville.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Carlinville, IL. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
6
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
20.38
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Carlinville

  • Top Community Pick: McDonnell Planetarium - Forest Park (~48.0 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Log Cabins
  • Local Experts: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Star Parties
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near Carlinville, IL? While enthusiasts often gather at McDonnell Planetarium - Forest Park 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 local landscape of Carlinville offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Carlinville

Since Carlinville 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 Carlinville Observers

When visiting McDonnell Planetarium - Forest Park, remember to check if the gates close at sunset or if a night-use permit is required. A medium-aperture telescope is ideal for resolving the rings of Saturn and bright star clusters at this spot. 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.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

McDonnell Planetarium - Forest Park

48 mi
Distance

" 'SLSC Solar Public Telescope Viewing at McDonnell Planetarium, weather permitting, the St Louis Astronomical Society and the Science Center will set up telescopes outdoors to view the Sun and be on-hand to answer your questions. The telescopes will be set up right outside the McDonnell Planetarium building. "

St. Louis, MO 63110
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Tower Grove Park - Stone Shelter

48 mi
Distance

" {'Due to excessive cloud cover and rain potential forecasted for tomorrow night, we will have to cancel this event. "

St. Louis, MO 63110
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Gateway Arch

48.1 mi
Distance

" There will be free telescope viewing provided by volunteers from the St. Call 314-655-1704 that evening for an update if you aren't sure about the weather., 'Check out the stars on the Gateway Arch Entrance Plaza! "

St. Louis, MO 63102
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Stacy Park

50.3 mi
Distance

" {'Star-B- is for SLAS members and their guests only.'} "

Olivette, MO 63132
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 90%

Louis Latzer Library [Outreach Only]

38.8 mi
Distance

" His presentation is highlighted by photos, and capped with video of the 2017 total solar eclipse. The talk will be followed by telescope viewing outdoors, weather permitting.' "

Highland, IL 62249
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Scientific Audit

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

20.38 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"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"

Observation Date
9/27/2013
Elevation
128m
Zenith Brightness
20.56

Kemil Beach

Indiana Dunes NL

19.88 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"Set up about 50' from the water in a depression in the sand dunes. Local glare from the western most home in the "1933 Century of Progress" homes. Other glare sources from the power plants to the SW and NE along the lakeshore are easily visible but did not saturate the camera sensor. A clear view across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline, though clouds and haze never completely cleared away. I suspect the industrial developments from the Port of Indiana all the way around to Chicago has a significant impact on aeresols and local cloud development. Even so, at 35 miles distant, the illuminated buildings of the Chicago skyline were easily visible to the naked eye on this evening. The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features. Was able to see 6.2 LM in Ursa Major (which was over the lake to the darker north)."

Observation Date
7/24/2017
Elevation
179m
Zenith Brightness
20.08

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 50.3 miles

Stacy Park

Stacy Park is a 35-acre park located in Olivette, Missouri and is approximately 10 miles west of St. Louis City. Established in 1926, Stacy Park is one of five…

Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Certified
2021
Land Area
0.14 km2
Coordinates
38.6708, -90.3941
IDA Certified Distance: 126.7 miles

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is a 688-hectare site in Champaign County, Illinois, U.S. It is one of six public preserves owned and operated by the…

Category
International Dark Sky Park
Certified
2018
Land Area
6.88km2
Coordinates
40.3827, -87.9703

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#532

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Star Parties

Edwardsville, IL

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#96

River Bend Astronomy Club

St. Jacob, IL