Felida
Stargazing Guide.

Discover why the Felida area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like cruise ship with professional NPS sky reports at Burroughs Mountain for a complete astronomical perspective.

Scientific NPS Bortle Regional Benchmarking
4
~82.8mi at Burroughs Mountain
Scientific NPS SQM Instrumented Reading
21.28
Regional Atmospheric Base
Verified Spots Community Vetted
2
~6.0mi to cruise ship
Dark Sky Oasis Certified IDA Park
110.9mi
IDA: Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Stargazing Logistics for Felida

  • STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: cruise ship. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~6.0 mile radius.
  • STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Burroughs Mountain as your technical benchmark for the region.
  • STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Rose City Astronomers for updated site access and group observation schedules.
  • STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 2 recognized sites near Felida offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Local Observation Strategy

Felida acts as a primary gateway to the cruise ship zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Burroughs Mountain just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Felida

In WA, the transitional periods of early Summer often provide a stable atmosphere between weather fronts. For Felida residents, this means less 'star twinkling' (scintillation) and a significantly steadier view for high-magnification planetary observation.

Expert Tips for Felida Observers

Thermal equilibrium is key. Since Felida temperatures can shift rapidly after sunset, allow your telescope mirrors at least 45 minutes to 'cool down' before attempting high-magnification work at cruise ship. This prevents 'tube currents' from blurring your view of Jupiter or Saturn. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Burroughs Mountain (82.8 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.

Regional Perspective: If you're traveling from Barberton, the 4.8-mile trip to Felida is a justified detour for anyone seeking slightly clearer atmospheric 'seeing'.
Community Vetted
Methodology Verified

Best Spots for Stargazing in Felida

The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. To get the most out of these verified spots, ensure your mobile reconnaissance kit is ready for Felida's local horizons.

Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 67.5%

cruise ship

6 mi
Distance

" Just a quick dash for Felida residents, this location offers great convenience. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "

Vancouver, WA
Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 72.5%

Sasquatch Family Farms

50.6 mi
Distance

" Pack some snacks for the drive from Felida; this destination is a justified detour. Local Horizon Tip: Before setting up, scout for north-facing tree clearings to ensure you have a clear path to the Polaris and the circumpolar stars. "

Toledo, WA 98591
Get Directions
Celestial Alert
Real-Time Tracking

2026 Celestial Roadmap for Felida

Rural conditions near Felida provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.

Swipe
Instrumented Data

Sky Quality Reports for Felida

Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Felida observers should check our recommended optics kit.

Burroughs Mountain

Mount Rainier NP

82.8 mi
Distance
21.28 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

Felida enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Burroughs Mountain in Mount Rainier NP on 8/13/2007. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.28 SQM."

Observation Date
8/13/2007
Elevation
1938m
Zenith Brightness
21.27

Plummer Peak

Mount Rainier NP

85.5 mi
Distance
21.09 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

The scientific findings at Plummer Peak provide Felida residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Plummer Peak in Mount Rainier NP on 9/23/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.09 SQM."

Observation Date
9/23/2005
Elevation
1940m
Zenith Brightness
20.98
Certified Destinations

Dark Sky Oasis near Felida

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.

International Dark Sky Park Certified

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Felida observing community.

99989 Highway 206

Scale
65 Sq. Km
Coordinates
45.4699, -120.4426
International Dark Sky Community Certified

Antelope, Oregon

Felida stargazers often look to Antelope, Oregon as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.

94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001

Scale
1.19 Sq. Km
Coordinates
44.9105, -120.7227
Community Hubs

Astronomy Clubs for Felida

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 Felida residents to bring to your first meet-up.

NASA Club ID
#381
14.4 mi
Distance

Rose City Astronomers

Portland, OR

NASA Club ID
#531
52.6 mi
Distance

Nightsky-45

Salem, OR

The Planetary Expert's Staging Advice

Gearing Up for Felida Nights

"With such a short hop from Felida 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 Felida Field Kit

Every observer in Felida eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. With cruise ship sitting at a ~6-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near Felida.

Level 1: EssentialsLevel 2: OpticsLevel 3: Power