Frankfort.

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

Bortle Scale
4
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
20.69
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Frankfort

  • Top Community Pick: West Lafayette Observatory (~23.8 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Kemil Beach
  • Local Experts: Wabash Valley Astronomical Society
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Frankfort, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at West Lafayette Observatory for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Kemil Beach provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 6.0. Atmospheric stability in the Frankfort region is often influenced by local topography, which can help settle the air for high-magnification viewing.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Frankfort

Since Frankfort 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 Frankfort Observers

Because West Lafayette Observatory is a developed site, it often features established viewing pads and specialized equipment. For the best views the site, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. 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%

West Lafayette Observatory

23.8 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

West Lafayette, IN 47906
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 80%

Prairie Grass Observatory

0.6 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Frankfort, IN 46041
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 80%

Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park

22.7 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

West Lafayette, IN 47906
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 67.5%

Lilly Nature Center at Celery Bog

22.7 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

West Lafayette, IN 47906
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 62.5%

Hershey Elementary School

17.6 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Lafayette, IN 47905
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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.

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

Houchin's Field

Mammoth Cave NP

20.69 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"A very calm, humid and clear night. Dewfall occurred during data collection, however dew heater prevented lens fog. Multiple light domes evident from site, as well as a continuous glow along horizon in all directions. Airglow was present. Andromeda galaxy easily visible, Beehive (Pegasus) visible with medium effort. Prominent dust lanes in Milky Way visible at zenith, but not below ~50 degrees. Limiting magnitude found in Pegasus."

Observation Date
10/25/2008
Elevation
245m
Zenith Brightness
20.99

International Dark Sky Parks

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

IDA Certified Distance: 76.6 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
IDA Certified Distance: 100.4 miles

Beverly Shores, Indiana

Beverly Shores is situated on the shoreline of Lake Michigan east of the greater Chicago area. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a park of the National Park…

Category
Dark Sky Community
Certified
2014
Land Area
15.1 km2
Coordinates
41.6925, -86.9775

Local Astronomy Clubs

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

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#441

Wabash Valley Astronomical Society

West Lafayette, IN

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#467

Indiana Astronomical Society

Martinsville, IN