The Darkest Skies
in Kansas

"Low extinction night, super bright zodical light, Gegenshein visible. Airglow visible beween 4-5. Earlier sets had bright zodiacal and gegenshein. 21.67 SQM. Bortle 2 possible without the direct glare."

"5th set shows some signs of dewfall. 4th set used for measurement as Milky Way was least prominent during that set. Data shows remarkable zenith brightness of 22.14 despite substantial light pollution to west. Measured LM of 6.7 at 45 deg to NW and 7.0 at 60 deg to NE. Glimpsed one mag 7.4 star. Visual scene is substantially hampered by streetlights along highway and park lighting, visible in images (especially at azi 305 deg). These impede dark adaptation and result in Bortle Class 4 rating, when potentially site could be Bortle Class 3."

"Emporia is brightest light dome on the horizon. Clear night, no clouds. Fair transparency"

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Heritage Center in Homestead NM on 9/27/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.37 SQM."

"Rotating beacon light from local airport painting the battlefield with white light. INcredible bright LED panel mounted on top of NPS/USFS visitor center that is aimed sideways and plainly visible and creating shadows in the battlefield 1/2 mile west. Wind turbines to the SSW with blinking red lights (not too bad). Oil and gas installation 2-3 miles to the WNW with HPS unshielded lights. Local solar LED's at parking lot not working. Limiting magnitude of 6.8 in Pegasus without problem."

"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."