What websites or resources can help me find dark-sky locations with low light pollution for night photography?
Asked 1/29/2014
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I’m looking for maps or other resources that show light pollution levels so I can choose better locations for long-exposure night photography. Ideally, I’d like tools that help identify darker areas for photographing stars or auroras.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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I would start at the International Dark Sky Association. They have detailed maps for North America and also a link to the Blue Marble Navigator for the rest of the world. Although a little older, I find these maps of North America more readable.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A good starting point is the International Dark-Sky Association, which provides dark-sky information and links to useful mapping resources. For North America, their light-pollution maps are often recommended and can be easier to read than some alternatives.
Two specific tools mentioned are:
- Dark Sky Finder for the USA
- Blue Marble Navigator for worldwide coverage
For night photography, distance from city lights matters a lot. In general, aim for the darker zones on these maps rather than areas close to urban glow. If you’re photographing auroras, low light pollution still helps, though it can be slightly less critical than for star photography because auroras occur high in the atmosphere.
So in short: use a light-pollution map, prioritize the darkest accessible areas, and check regional dark-sky resources first.
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