|
Submit a new dark-sky site to the directory by clicking here. |
Dark-Sky Sites:Massachusetts
Sites:
|
|
Town: Cummington
Observing site: Arunah Hill Natural Science Center
Address: Trouble Street
Zip Code: 01026
Contact person(s): Ed Faits
(arunahhill@gmail.com)
Steve Pielock (Pielock@AACAD.UMass.EDU)
Telephone number: Ed: 413-569-6336 Steve:
413-772-6715
Restrictions: Restricted to club members, but guests ALWAYS welcome. Please contact a member first.
Directions: Arunah Hill is located off route 9 in Western Massachusetts, halfway between Northampton and Pittsfield. Take Interstate-91 to Rt. 9, Northampton/Amherst exit. Follow Rt. 9 west 27 miles to the Windsor town line, turn left at the "Worthington-Peru Rt. 143 sign, travel 3 miles to the Cummington-Worthington town line, take the sharp left onto Trouble St. Arunah Hill's driveway is 1/2 mile down the dirt road, on left. Look for the barn with the cupola. Click here to create a map using Google Maps.
Current weather:
|
|
|
How are the sky conditions? Arunah Hill is located in the spine of the Berkshire Hills, one of the darkest spots left in southern New England.
| Typical naked-eye magnitude limit on a clear, moonless night: | |
| At the zenith: | 6.5 |
| East: | 5.0 |
| West: | 6.0 |
| North: | 6.5 |
| South: | 6.0 |
Best horizon: Great southern / southeastern vista.
Worst horizon: Trees block a bit of the western horizon, although there is a nice "lookout point" on a ridge 1/4 mile from the observatory.
Comments by submitter: "Arunah Hill is still a primitive, rugged site. There are two well maintained "outhouses", but no running water/flush toilets in the area. The gravel road to the summit may not be passable after wet weather and is usually closed during the winter months. The lower parking lot behind the barn, however, is a nice alternative site when the summit is not accessible. This is also the site of the annual Arunah Hills Days get-together."
Errors in this listing? Click here to submit corrections.
Town: Northfield
Observing site: Northfield Mountain Environmental Center
Address:
99 Millers Falls Rd (Route 63)
Telephone number: (413) 659-3714, (800) 859-2960
URL: http://www.firstlightpower.com/northfield
E-mail: nerc@firstlightpower.com
Restrictions: None, but suggest call ahead first.
Directions: Northfield Mountain is located on Route 63, about 15 miles northeast of Greenfield. From Interstate 91, take Route 2 east towards Millers Falls. Turn north on Route 63 (towards NH), heading up the road about 2 to 3 miles. The Environmental Center is on your right, but they ask that you set up on the left. Again, call ahead for specifics. Click here for a map of the area or here to create a map using Google Maps.
Current weather:
How are the sky conditions? Not bad, although being so close to the CT River will sometimes make things a little damp/dewy.
| Typical naked-eye magnitude limit on a clear, moonless night: | |
| At the zenith: | 6.0 |
| East: | 6.0 |
| West: | 5.5 |
| North: | 6.0 |
| South: | 6.0 |
Best horizon (direction and approximate altitude cut-off): East, cut-off perhaps 15 degrees
Worst horizon (direction and approximate altitude cut-off): Southwest, not so much because of trees, but rather, the glow from Greenfield.
Comments from reviewer: "Northfield Mountain is also the site of the Astronomers Conjunction, an annual get-together every summer that features talks, observing, etc. Contact Phil Harrington for details about the next event. The Environmental Center is owned and operated by First*Light Power Resources, the power company in those parts. Skies are quite dark, especially if you locate yourself away from line-of-site to Rt 63."
Errors in this listing? Click here to submit corrections.
Town: Savoy
Observing site: Shady Pines Campground
Address: 547 Loop Road
Zip Code: 01256
Contact person:
Telephone number: (413) 743-2694
URL: http://www.shadypinescampground.com/
Restrictions: $4.00 visitor fee must be paid if you are not renting a campsite. Campsite fee is currently $30/night, $190/week, cabin $65/night (as of June 2007).
Directions: Off Route 116, 36 miles west of Interstate 91, 12 miles from Rt. 8 in Adams, MA. Click here to create a map using Google Maps.
Current weather:
How are the sky conditions? Excellent
| Typical naked-eye magnitude limit on a clear, moonless night: | |
| At the zenith: | 6.0 |
| East: | 6.0 |
| West: | 6.0 |
| North: | 6.0 |
| South: | 6.0 |
Best horizon
(direction and approximate altitude cut-off): South
0 deg
Worst horizon (direction and approximate altitude cut-off):
Northeast 0 deg
Comments by reviewer: "Site of the Rockland Astronomy Club's (Suffern, NY) Summer Star Party. Dark skies, south horizon is lowest - 5 degrees. North and East are darkest, faint domes (less than 10 degrees) to SE, SW and NW. Restrooms, electricity, water; food available from camp store."
Errors in this listing? Click here to submit corrections.