Does taking a plane at night help me see the starry starry night sky?

Question

I really want to see a starry night sky, esp one with the milky way, but I don't have the budget to visit the best dark sky reserves around the world. But by taking a plane at night, does it help? Since high up in the atmosphere there isn't light pollution, and very little clouds...

Answer 1

Actually, being in a plane can avoid light pollution but you would want to turn all the lights off in the plane (which is not a good idea for safety). Very few planes can fly high enough to avoid all clouds but, certainly, some clouds are relatively near the ground and you can fly above them.



For a lot less than the price of a plane ride, you can probably find someplace with much less light pollution within a day's drive. If there is a large lake nearby and you can get out on a boat, that can avoid a lot of light pollution. There are versions of Google Earth or photos of earth from space at night which, at least at a large view, show where light pollution is not so bad. You should also find out about any local Astronomer's Club. I would be very surprised if there is not one close to you. They will KNOW where the best local viewing conditions are. And... you have probably already done so but go to a Planetarium.



Good luck, The Milky Way is absolutely worth seeing!

Answer 2

It's very difficult to observe the sky from a commercial airplane because the cabin is usually illuminated and there are bright reflections of lights on the windows. You will see much more of the sky from any rural location on the ground.

Answer 3

Most of the answers so far have been reasonably accurate. Other problems with aircraft observing, in addition to the issues with illumination inside the aircraft cabin, the windows have a very narrow field of view and the quality of the windows is not great for astronomical observing. You are much better off driving to a location where the skies are darker.

Answer 4

Why don't you just venture far from civilization and light! You don't necessarily need to visit a reserve.

Answer 5

It should, but it doesn't help. The problem is that the windows of an arplane do not allow musc vision upwards.



I suggest you take a trip to some remote small town in the mountains. Golden Colorado should be about right.



Choose a winter night with no moon. Winter temperatures freezes moisture and dust out of the air, and a moon would provide too much light pollution. Rent a car and go a few miles out of town.

Answer 6

Only if the plane takes you to Tucson AZ. The view of the night sky here is tremendous with no street lighting north of the city.

Answer 7

You don't need to go to the "best dark sky reserves around the world". Just get out of the city lights on a moonless night.



I;d suggest doing an internet search for astronomy clubs near you. They'll be able to tell you when and where they hold their stargazing nights.

Answer 8

no.



the windows on airliners favour the view down to the ground. also, airliners are pressurized to 8000 feet, high enough for hypoxia to reduce your night vision. though, i must admit, the first time i saw the southern cross and alpha and beta centauri was out the window of an air canada 767, en route from honolulu to melbourne...

Answer 9

It is better and cheaper to drive to a dark rural location. Use the source to help you find the closest dark place near you.



Be sure to plan your trip when the Moon will not be bright. Ideally you want a Moonless night. This weekend should be good. Most calendars show the dates of the full, quarter, and new moon dates. A new Moon is best and avoid full Moon dates entirely.

Answer 10

Nope doesnt help!