The Darkest Skies
in Nevada

"Intermittent clouds"

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Pothole Dome in Yosemite NP on 8/28/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.49 SQM."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at FS RD 553 & HWY 95 in Las Vegas Transect on 1/13/2007. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.46 SQM."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Overton Beach in Lake Mead NRA on 12/2/2004. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.45 SQM."

"Summit of Mt. Washington, 1/4 mile walk from end of road. Spectacular site but very exposed, cold, windy. Excellent sites for public or telescope near end of road but difficult 4WD access. Very transparent, seeing fair, breezy, exceptionally dry at 5% R.H. Airglow has distinct blue green color, gegenschein easily seen but not the entire zodiacal band. Detail in the Milky Way in Cassiopeia substantial, M33 easy naked eye object, seen with direct vision. Light domes of Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are apparent but not brighter than Mars, brighter areas below the level horizon. Lack of oxygen may be a handicap for visual observing."

"Smoke around horizon and some cloud to the south, clouds increasing as night progresses. A few glare sources visible in the distance, both HPS and metal halide, otherwise virtually no light domes."

"From Cottonwood Cove Entrance Station, take power line road south to Six Mile Cove Road, set up near intersection, not quite within park boundary. Sky obviously polluted, especially from Las Vegas/Henderson, sky glow throughout the sky. Las Vegas light dome extends at least to 40 degrees above the horizon, 70 degrees wide, very bright at its core, interfering with night vision. Laughlin and Kingman also visible much less intense, Laughlin 30 derees wide, disproportionally tall due to upward facade lighting on hotels, about 20 degrees. Ambient environmental illuminantion obviously above natural levels, features easily see, Lake Mohave may be discerned. Zodiacal band not seen, gegenschein not seen but Jupiter may interfere, near opposition. By 11PM standard time Milky Way still subdued in Perseus, Aurgia, Cygnus better but gegenschein still not seen. Seeing fair, improving as night progresses, Transparency good, also improving with time. Bob gets 6.5 for ZLM. SQM 21.46 at 4th data set."

"Site on summit of Blue Ridge (Buck Mountain) just east of saddle to Bald Mountain, in a jumble of rocks. Cross country travel from Wheeler Pk. Trailhead parking, not good for public or telescopes. Sky pretty bright, apparently from airglow, but still reveals considerable detail in Milky Way. Light domes from cities insignificant, would not be noticed from in the canyon. As near pristine from light pollution as any site yet visited. Very clear air, some hint of layered haze, seeing fair."

"Site of old State Line Fire Lookout, directly above the Biltmore Hotel on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. A tree blocks much of the northern sky, and some of the light dome of Reno, but otherwise pretty good location. Seeing very good, transparency very good. Glare from nearby lights severe, especially to the west toward Tahoe City. Glare severely affects night vision, but by shielding eyes reasonbly dark skies near the zenith can be seen. Fairly good detail in the MIlky Way near zenith, washed out near the southern horizon. Incline Village has pretty good lights, not very obtrusive even though only a few kilometers away."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Wildlife Range Road in Tule Springs Fossil Beds NM on 1/13/2007. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 20.47 SQM."