In big cities like Denver, it’s almost impossible to see the thousands of stars that are in the night sky. In my opinion, stargazing is the perfect activity to enjoy alone, with friends, or with family. To see shooting stars and the Milky Way, it isn’t actually as hard as it seems to find a place where the stars are visible.
The main reason we cannot see stars in the night sky is because of light pollution, caused mostly by poorly designed outdoor lighting. Additionally, our own moon can cause light pollution, preventing us from seeing stars. Luckily in Colorado it isn’t too difficult to drive to places that are almost, if not completely, free from light pollution. I recommend using tools such as a light pollution map to find spots where there is little-to-no light pollution before stargazing. It is also important to note that the clouds in our atmosphere can prevent us from seeing stars.
If you are going stargazing, I recommend bringing warm clothes (if it’s chilly) and something to lay on. Plan beforehand to drive somewhere with little-to-no light pollution. The stars are most visible after twilight, approximately 90 minutes after sunset. To maximize the amount of stars you can see, go on a night with a new moon rather than a full moon.
