The Arc of the Milky Way...

[polak]

We've all seen the amazing pictures out there of the night sky with a vivid and bright band of light called "the arc of the milky way".





According to many sites, it shouldn't be all that difficult to see on a clear night if you're a good distance out of any larger town or city and seeing how we live in Canada, we've all been in areas without light pollution but how many of us have seen it? Personally I love camping and seeing all the stars light up the sky but in all the years I've been camping, whether it be in the Rockies, prairies or on the coast, I have never been lucky enough to witness such a spectacle.

I can't be the only one who hasn't seen the Arc of the Milky Way before? Does anyone have any tips? Maybe pics they have snapped?

[troutman]

You should be able to see in in the Rockies if your eyes are accustomed to the dark.

The Star Walk app will show you exactly where it is, and there is a night-light setting, so that your eyes aren't dazzled.

There are in fact 100 billion galaxies, each of which contain something like a 100 billion stars - Carl S.

[HOOT]

I've seen it in different places but by far the best view I've had was in Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho. I'm shocked you never saw it in the Rockies.

[Flames89]

Isn't it just called "the milky way"? Never heard the "arc" portion.

[bc-chris]

so not this....




i vividly remember when i saw it a number of years ago. i was somewhere in Montana (heading back home with a bunch of friends after a really long road trip)

we were in the middle of no where. there was a full moon in one part of the sky, haley's comet was in the other part of the sky and you could see the milky way - it was AWESOME!!

we actually pull off the road for probably 20 - 30 minutes and all of us just stared up at the sky

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by polak

I love camping and seeing all the stars light up the sky but in all the years I've been camping, whether it be in the Rockies, prairies or on the coast, I have never been lucky enough to witness such a spectacle.

I can see it when camping in the rockies. You just have to get away from the fire and let your eyes adjust to complete darkness before you'll be able to see everything the sky has to offer. If usually takes my eyes a good 15-20 minutes. Red flashlights are good to use if you need to see where you're going as they don't effect your night vision as much.

[HPLovecraft]

Out here in rural PEI I see the band (not arc) quite regularly on clear nights and I'm out looking, especially since I'm on the North Shore, so there is absolutely no light pollution whatsoever when gazing in that direction. Look east to west and you should spot it.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by polak

We've all seen the amazing pictures out there of the night sky with a vivid and bright band of light called "the arc of the milky way".

According to many sites, it shouldn't be all that difficult to see on a clear night if you're a good distance out of any larger town or city and seeing how we live in Canada, we've all been in areas without light pollution but how many of us have seen it? Personally I love camping and seeing all the stars light up the sky but in all the years I've been camping, whether it be in the Rockies, prairies or on the coast, I have never been lucky enough to witness such a spectacle.

I can't be the only one who hasn't seen the Arc of the Milky Way before? Does anyone have any tips? Maybe pics they have snapped?

The best sighting I've ever had of the Milky Way was at about 11,500 feet in Shira 2 Camp on Mt. Kilimanjaro when I got up for a leak at 4 a.m. There isn't an ounce of contaminating light in that place, there are some surrounding hills that give the horizon some definition amidst the stars and you're pretty close to Outer Space. Nearly fell over backwards holding my willie while trying to stare straight up and take it all in. I used a bottle thereafter so never went out at 15,300 feet where we camped three times after that.

Driving up Haleakala on Maui you see a pretty fantastic Milky Way as well if you go early enough and can catch a break in the traffic headlights.

On cloudless, moonless nights at our acreage southwest of the city, I see the Milky Way in clear definition quite often, particularly in winter.

Cowperson

[polak]

Well I guess I must just be unlucky.

Next time I go out of the city on a clear night I'm definitely going to try as hard as I can to see it.

[Inglewood Jack]

unfortunately Calgary's light pollution extends out pretty far, it's like this giant bubble of orange that obscures the true night sky far beyond city limits. even at the Rothney observatory near Priddis (everyone should visit their open house/stargazing nights btw) Calgary's brightness takes away a great deal of details, especially diffuse glow things like the Milky Way or various other galaxies and nebulae.

I have seen the Milky Way band camping near Sundre though, so Alberta does have some good dark spots. The best I had ever seen is on a Mauna Kea tour, where many of the world's best observatories are located. even with tons of idiotic tourists using their vehicle high beams and flashlights and crap, the sky was filled out exactly like the OP's pictures. you can't even identify any constellations because they're lost in the chaos. if you ever see anything like it, you will forever hate the featureless night sky living in an urban area.

[wookster]

We get a real good view of this from our farm...no lights or smog to dim it out.

[surferguy]

My two notable viewings have been from the summit of mt sanai and in the islands of the South Pacific. I think it is more defined in the Southern Hemisphere as well.try and see it Polak, it is pretty badass!