Stargazing is more than simply staring into the night sky; it is a profound odyssey that transcends the boundaries of our fleeting, everyday experiences. Every time we look at the night sky, we stare at a vast universe that predates ourselves, human civilization, and even our planet.
It should be no wonder that science began by looking at the night sky and its cycles. Although artificial lights have now dimmed the skies near cities and towns, there are many places – especially here in Texas! – where we can still gaze into the night in its darkest form.
But what if you are thinking of stargazing in Texas as a hobby? Do you simply drive off into the wilderness? How do you make sense of a billion small dots?
What is Stargazing?
Stargazing is the activity of looking into the night sky and observing the objects in space – mainly the moon and the stars, but also the occasional comet or asteroid.
There are many reasons why people stargaze. Some do it because they enjoy looking at the night sky. Some delight in the peaceful feeling and connection to the universe they get from stargazing. Others do it in the name of scientific research – after all, many stars are out there, left to be discovered! In some cases, stargazing is just part of a larger love for the outdoors, and it takes its place within the routine of long hikes, overnight camping, or nights by the fire.
No matter the reason, almost every stargazer finds solace and inspiration when looking at the skies. It helps us put our place in the universe into perspective. It relaxes and grounds us while enabling our imaginations to fly.
Tips for the New Stargazer in Texas
When stargazing as a hobby, it is usually done a bit more systematically: rather than just letting our gazes wander, stargazing aficionados usually track the movements of different stars throughout the year or chase rare events (such as asteroid showers or eclipses).
The first time most of us hold a star map can be confusing. What if we can’t see the clusters or constellations everyone else is seeing? These four tips will help you make sense of it all.
1. Start “Big”
And by this, we mean starting with the “big” celestial bodies (or at least, the ones that look bigger from our spot in the universe). They’re brighter, move less, and will be easier to spot among a myriad of small freckles.
Gazing at the moon and tracking its phases may seem too simple – so take it as a training run. You can do this from your own home, even in a city, and it will take just a few minutes every day. Make notes of the moon’s phase and location, and try to spot the small daily changes. Try locating the nearby planets after you learn to comfortably tell whether the moon is waxing or waning. Venus and Mars are the easiest!
2. Use an offline star chart
There are many “star chart” apps out there. However, their features and internal lingo may be hard to figure out immediately. In addition, they can be unwieldy when you’re under the stars: even if you have a light-weight laptop or smartphone. Be sure to set up the app to use night vision friendly options with low level red lights in order to preserve your night vision.
It pays to go old school here: try with a printed star chart and a planisphere. These will help you recognize the main constellations and show you where and when to expect them, depending on the season.
3. Turn to red or deep amber lights
Naturally, reading a paper chart or a planisphere will still require some light – which needs to be scarce when we are out at night to preserve your night vision. A flashlight will let you see the chart, but exposure to white or yellow light will make stars harder to spot as they interfere with your eye’s rhodopsin production, which allows you to see in low light.
The answer to this conundrum is red or deep amber light. After 20 to 40 minutes away from bright yellow-white lights, your body will kickstart rhodopsin production, and you will be able to see everything better. Unlike white lights, red and deep amber lights don’t interfere with this process.
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best: a couple of layers of red cellophane wrapped around your flashlight will ensure you can read your charts without keeping your eyes on “daytime mode.”
4. Get out of town
The final step is to get away from all the other sources of white light, which will make the stars get lost in the background. For this, you will need to take the occasional road trip. Look for somewhere outside the city or the suburbs, shielded from bright artificial light sources like stadiums, highways, unshielded bright lights, or LED billboards.
Where are the Best Stargazing Spots in Texas?
Ideally, we all have the resources and time to go into the wilderness whenever we want to look at the sky. But Texas is big, and our cities often spread for miles. So where can you find a spot that’s as shielded as possible but without a 10-hour drive?
At DarkSky Texas, one of our main goals is to minimize the spread of skyglow so it doesn’t stretch endlessly around our towns. In addition, we are collaborating with many other environmentally-minded organizations to create Dark Sky places – in parks, reserves, and communities, where the sky is left as pristine as possible.
The top place in Texas to see the stars at their fullest? The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve (DSR) in Western Texas. This collection of natural parks and protected lands spans across Texas and even the northern tip of Mexico. It covers over 15,000 square miles and offers endless sky.
But what if you’re far away from West Texas? Instead, try visiting one of over 20 certified International Dark Sky Places across the State. The parks, reserves, and Urban Night Sky Places in this list are ecologically sensitive areas where local landowners or authorities are committed to protecting their night skies from light pollution. You can find the closest one to you HERE.
Interested in Protecting Stargazing in Texas?
International Dark Sky Places are just the tip of a much larger movement. At DarkSky Texas, we continuously organize educational seminars and stargazing events, to help us bring awareness about the dangers of light pollution and how to easily reduce it. Please consider donating or volunteering with us to promote better lights for better nights with less light pollution! Your support will help us launch and sustain more education programs across the State.
