What are some good websites that discuss light pollution and good days to view stars/deep space objects?

Question

I received a telescope for Christmas and was wondering what good websites are available for maps of light pollution, and good days to see stars/deep space objects from the Midwest.

Answer 1

I like the Dark Sky Finder map ----> http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/



Pretty simple, if you can get to (or are in) a "green" area or better, you can expect good deep sky viewing.

Answer 2

countless causes. Alignment of the spotter I already stated (good one). Misalignment of your telescope's optics. yet my best guess may be the importance (brightness) of the article is too small for that 8". I easily have countless telescopes ranging in length from 4" to 50". maximum are dobs. With my 10" meade, i'm able to unravel really some the Messier Catalog gadgets. My 8", i'm able to make certain possibly 0.5. also, stay remote from the quite extreme powered eyepieces (9mm-4.5mm). On a dob, the sky strikes so rapidly the scope extremely stops has time to end shaking (from re-centering an merchandise) earlier the article is out of field. are you waiting to view brighter gadgets? Moon, Saturn, Mars? some shiny "M" gadgets that look large in small scopes...M13, M92, M31, M104, M42. those should be easily seen through your 8". i'm hoping this enables. good success.

Answer 3

I use this-

http://cleardarksky.com/csk/index.html#chart_list

Wally