If you want to be able to do a lot of sky watching from home, it helps to have the right elements.
Depending on how serious of a stargazer you are, there are some things you might want to consider before you go looking for that next house.
- Light Pollution - This factor can affect your observing in many different ways. The first time I came to see the house I am currently living in was at night. We parked in the driveway and as I got out the first thing I noticed was how many stars I could see. Part of light pollution is how far away you are from a city, but it also can depend on how far away you are from your neighbors, who your neighbors are (a ball park, a shopping mall, etc.), and what, if any, are the lightning regulations in the area. Many subdivisions not only have lamp post requirements but also tell you when they must be on and off (basically, the whole time it's dark out).
- Clear Views - If you live in a valley, you will have limited times to view certain objects because hills will obscure items as they rise and set. If you live east of a mountain the sun will set a little sooner, but so will planets such as Venus. Another factor is how many trees are on your property. While trees are good for shielding your backyard from lighting sources, they also can gobble up a lot of the sky if you live in the woods.
- Building Restrictions - If you are really into astronomy, then you might want your own observatory or some kind of shelter that will protect your 25-inch scope. Some places do not allow sheds or similar buildings, something that is important to know before you sign that offer to purchase.
Happy House Hunting!
