Bortle 1 is an awesome experience. In the autumn I work up at a fly in, remote fishing lodge in northern Manitoba, 🇨🇦 (about 90 miles south of the border with Nunavut Territory). No roads, no light pollution, no people. I developed and run eco tours. I just bought my first astrophotography rig this summer and am dying to try it up there. The dark skies are amazing, as are the northern lights. Would be so cool to host a small group of astrophotographers up there! Dr B from Manitoba, 🇨🇦
That looks great! What an awesome experience that must be. Going to a Bortle 3 sky tomorrow and I hope the skies stay clear so I can do my first real attempt at photographing Andromeda!
One of my best astro nights was at the black mesa state park in western Oklahoma. I have Bortle 3 skies at my house, but bortle 1 is just an undescribable experience
Way to go Nico! The "day vs night" photos were an amazing idea (I'm going to "borrow" that idea from you). We loved having you. Everyone enjoyed your presentation. You're welcome back anytime!
Thanks Andy! It was great to meet you, and thanks for all your help and generosity with your time! The "day vs night" idea came to me while editing the video out of desperation. I realized I didn't have time to truly process any my photos and still get this video out on Friday, so the day vs. night seemed like something interesting to do with single photos basically straight from camera. I liked it too, and might try to do some diptychs for Flickr after I really process the photos.
Being under a Bortle 1 sky is certainly an amazing and special experience. Travelled to the Mackenzie country last year here in NZ and seeing the milky way above was mind blowing.
I would love to experience bortle 1 once... I live in The Netherlands where Bortle 4 is considered a Dark Sky Park... One thing is holding me back though... That eigh-legged terror you showed... YIKES.
I counted 25 Tarantulas when I was there. They are not aggressive or poisonous. I picked one up and carried it across the road to avoid being hit. They keep insects under control. What you should be aware of are Rattlesnakes.
Not exactly sure how I even got to your channel, but I am so glad I did. Your videos and clear explanations inspired me to get out and take my first stacked shot of andromeda last night. So as genuinely as I can say this: thank you for inspiring me! Clear skies.
Oh my stars! You were in my backyard of Oklahoma and I missed meeting you. Very sad now. Keep up the good work and hope you had fun at our little dark sky spot and hanging out with my club brothers and sisters. I also love your background shot of Okie and Tex The Flamingos. Ha!
My first time under Bortle 1 sky was breath taking. I hope you have a great time and when you get back you will have a lot more to share with us we will be looking forward.
So awesome!! Iam Going to visit a dark site some day! bortle 1 is a dream spot. Being under a dark sky is an unforgettable experience. the darkest skies I ever have been is to bortle 4/5, which is decent. i live in a bortle 8 zone, which is definitely terrible. cant wait to escape my way into a Dark site.!! Great Video Nico
Just once I would like to go to a star-party like this. Unfortunately, there aren't that many of them where I live (northern Europe). Thankfully, I have a Bortle 2 just an hour or so away from me, but sharing that experience with so many like-minded has to be incredible.
@@Black_hole306 Unbelievable. I don't ever remember being able to see the Milkyway so clearly, including the Great Rift. Last time I was up in the BWCA, the nights were cloudy or moon lit. But this year, the moon set before true dark. Was able to photograph Andromeda with a 180mm telescope, and see the dust in the arms clear as day after a 2 minute exposure. So much better than my bortle 7 backyard XD
My idea of a star party would be me, myself, and Creation lol. I live in Oklahoma, but on the opposite side, the most SE county beside Texas and Louisiana. My small town in which I live is a 4, the surrounding area even to the border and Red Slough is a 3, and almost an hour and a half north at the north edge of my county is a 2, nestled in some hilly land between two towns. I would love to look and take pictures of the sky there, but I'd take a good guess that people live in the specific area and who knows where I can get a good shot of the full sky without trees and such in the way. I would also love to be in the Black Mesa area to spend some time and see the full, dark sky for how it was created. I've seen a 3, maybe a pseudo-2, but I really want to be enveloped in a true dark sky and see everything my eyes and devices can take in.
Thanks for sharing this video Nico. Awesome as always I hope you will be posting your photo's from this location, I can't wait to see them. How do you find out about these type of star parties in advance? I would love to go to one eventually.
Nice! There is no Bortle 1 in England where I am, unfortunately, Bortle 3 is the best we can have (Kielder Starcamp). Scotland has Bortle 2 (Galloway Starcamp) and even Bortle 1 in places. Wales has Bortle 2 in some places but only Bortle 4 at the Starcamps (Brecon Astrocamp, SWAG at Pencelli). There is a big difference between each Bortle number because the Bortle scale is exponential.
Cool video! Wish I could go to a dark sky location like that sometime 😊 One ask though, could you please put a small warning before showing a giant spider on the screen? I have pretty bad arachnophobia and it was pretty disturbing 😥
I despise spiders, but once you learn about them and understand most things just want to run away from you (even black bears and wolves), you won't be such a baby (coming from a mild arachnophobe). I actually have grown to like jumping spiders, because of how harmless and pet-like in nature they are. I still don't like other common spiders like adult grass spiders and house spiders, but as long as you learn and understand them, you don't have this weird irrationality about them. I still think most spiders are inherently creepy and should stay away. While Tarantulas are mostly non-aggressive and aren't that big a deal, I still would prefer to sleep off the ground and in a way where scorpions, spiders, and snakes can't take a space next to me.
Next May we'll be staying in Animas, NM 5 miles from the Dark Sky observatory (Class 1). The RV park rents observatories and all lights are red after dark and outside lights are prohibited. I hope to become more proficient with my setup by then...
I am fortunate living in Australia, live with Bortle 4 but after a 15 minute drive I have Bortle 2. I used to live with Bortle 1 which was frustrating. Why? You look up and think where do I start. Being able to see to all horizons and seeing a billion plus little lights. But the beauty of all this, Nebula, Galaxies, Star Clusters and Planets could be seen with just a good set of binoculars. And, clear skies for 80% of the year and no dew.
Same with me. I live 15 minutes away from the city in a bortle 8 zone, but can drive 45 minutes to get to a bortle 3, 1.5 hours to get to a bortle 2 and 2.5 hours to get to a bortle 1. Of course with the bortle 3 zone there is still a pretty significant light dome looking back at the city that extends to about 30 degrees above that horizon.
@@afryhover I'd love to visit a bortle 1 zone some day. Sadly I live in the biggest light pollution hotspot on the planet if lightpollutionmap is anything to go by
Hello Nick. Is it true that at a Bortle 1 sky you can't see the clouds? According to Sky and Telescope, "The Scorpius and Sagittarius regions of the Milky Way cast obvious diffuse shadows on the ground." Is it really like that? Amazing experience that you're having, I'm looking forward to the other videos! Enjoy!
I'm not Nick, but I was there and yes, clouds are just black spots in the sky from a dark site. Lacking any local light sources, there is nothing to make them appear as bright grey haze like we see from cities. And once your eyes are dark adapted, you can indeed read a book to the light of the Milky Way. Even planets like Jupiter and Venus are annoyingly bright
Yes, Big Bend National Park is very good. But, I wouldn't say it's "darker than Okie-Tex". They are both great night skies and legit Bortle-1. Big Bend if far enough south that Omega and other objects are fantastic there.
The bright milky way has a huge influence on my SQM readings. Bortle Scale is a visual system based on what one can see naked eye. So I confirmed Bortle 1 visually based on what I could see.
And to think that around 300 years ago, most everyone lived under a Bortle 1 sky.
Maybe only 120 years ago. Only the cities were electrified, and the light bulbs weren’t that bright in 1900.
@@jonathanhansen3709 Yep, Messier made his famous list from the city of Paris if I recall correctly.
That robot at 1:22 was awesome!
Ye
Anyone know what that robot/dolly is?
Bortle 1 is an awesome experience. In the autumn I work up at a fly in, remote fishing lodge in northern Manitoba, 🇨🇦 (about 90 miles south of the border with Nunavut Territory). No roads, no light pollution, no people. I developed and run eco tours. I just bought my first astrophotography rig this summer and am dying to try it up there. The dark skies are amazing, as are the northern lights. Would be so cool to host a small group of astrophotographers up there! Dr B from Manitoba, 🇨🇦
That looks great! What an awesome experience that must be. Going to a Bortle 3 sky tomorrow and I hope the skies stay clear so I can do my first real attempt at photographing Andromeda!
One of my best astro nights was at the black mesa state park in western Oklahoma. I have Bortle 3 skies at my house, but bortle 1 is just an undescribable experience
Way to go Nico! The "day vs night" photos were an amazing idea (I'm going to "borrow" that idea from you). We loved having you. Everyone enjoyed your presentation. You're welcome back anytime!
Thanks Andy! It was great to meet you, and thanks for all your help and generosity with your time!
The "day vs night" idea came to me while editing the video out of desperation. I realized I didn't have time to truly process any my photos and still get this video out on Friday, so the day vs. night seemed like something interesting to do with single photos basically straight from camera. I liked it too, and might try to do some diptychs for Flickr after I really process the photos.
It was so great to meet you at Okie-Tex. Come back and visit when you can.
Being under a Bortle 1 sky is certainly an amazing and special experience. Travelled to the Mackenzie country last year here in NZ and seeing the milky way above was mind blowing.
So amazing how our hobby can lead down other paths of creativity. That robot for moving the telescope was awesome!
Thanks for the talk on Wide-field AP Nico, was great to meet you. I was the guy setup in Fort Kick-ass with Brent Newton.
Great to meet you too. I still didn't see Gengenschein, but maybe next year
Week 20 of appreciating Five Minute Fridays
Thank you for sharing! Hope you’ll do more on your amazing trip to this star party.
had my first Bortle 1 experience this summer in Big Bend, TX. Exciting but very scary critters at night!
I would love to experience bortle 1 once... I live in The Netherlands where Bortle 4 is considered a Dark Sky Park... One thing is holding me back though... That eigh-legged terror you showed... YIKES.
I counted 25 Tarantulas when I was there. They are not aggressive or poisonous. I picked one up and carried it across the road to avoid being hit. They keep insects under control. What you should be aware of are Rattlesnakes.
I saw that you were presenting at this, and I so wanted to go. I plan on going next year, so hopefully you will be back!
Hey man! I think I saw you haha. Great video! Would be cool to see some more of the footage you got.
Not exactly sure how I even got to your channel, but I am so glad I did. Your videos and clear explanations inspired me to get out and take my first stacked shot of andromeda last night. So as genuinely as I can say this: thank you for inspiring me! Clear skies.
Cheers Aaron! Glad I could inspire you!
Oh my stars! You were in my backyard of Oklahoma and I missed meeting you. Very sad now. Keep up the good work and hope you had fun at our little dark sky spot and hanging out with my club brothers and sisters. I also love your background shot of Okie and Tex The Flamingos. Ha!
That's amazing! I should go for a drive to go visit
My first time under Bortle 1 sky was breath taking. I hope you have a great time and when you get back you will have a lot more to share with us we will be looking forward.
So awesome!! Iam Going to visit a dark site some day! bortle 1 is a dream spot. Being under a dark sky is an unforgettable experience. the darkest skies I ever have been is to bortle 4/5, which is decent. i live in a bortle 8 zone, which is definitely terrible. cant wait to escape my way into a Dark site.!! Great Video Nico
AWESOME!!! Bortle 1!!!
While in the field you are just looking a Discovery channel explainer. Amazing video sir ❤️.
This is amazing....i could only dream..
Just once I would like to go to a star-party like this. Unfortunately, there aren't that many of them where I live (northern Europe). Thankfully, I have a Bortle 2 just an hour or so away from me, but sharing that experience with so many like-minded has to be incredible.
Great video! I was just in a bortle 1 myself this week, first time since I took up this hobby. Boundary Waters Canoe Area, MN. Absolutely beautiful.
How was your experience?
@@Black_hole306 Unbelievable. I don't ever remember being able to see the Milkyway so clearly, including the Great Rift. Last time I was up in the BWCA, the nights were cloudy or moon lit. But this year, the moon set before true dark. Was able to photograph Andromeda with a 180mm telescope, and see the dust in the arms clear as day after a 2 minute exposure. So much better than my bortle 7 backyard XD
What a vibe!
I was at this in 2021. My first time there. They also dedicated their new building with a ribbon cutting.
Ooo I would love to get there
seems like it was an awesome experience.
so glad you kept your fmf run :) but i f'n hate spiders :(
Nice... I'm only a few hours from there.. I should make the trip one of these days.
Looks awesome I always wonder how does the bortle 1 skies look like. I have experienced bortle 2-3 a few times and even that has been awesome
Que bueno que hermoso lugar felicidades
over 200 years ago the skies in the entire world was a Bortle 1 but now its like a treasure haha its crazy
Fantastico… It must be quite an experience to be under such Sky…. Grazie….
My father is out there with you! Have fun!!!
Awesome skies are alluring. Ready to leave Boston? ;)
My idea of a star party would be me, myself, and Creation lol. I live in Oklahoma, but on the opposite side, the most SE county beside Texas and Louisiana. My small town in which I live is a 4, the surrounding area even to the border and Red Slough is a 3, and almost an hour and a half north at the north edge of my county is a 2, nestled in some hilly land between two towns. I would love to look and take pictures of the sky there, but I'd take a good guess that people live in the specific area and who knows where I can get a good shot of the full sky without trees and such in the way. I would also love to be in the Black Mesa area to spend some time and see the full, dark sky for how it was created. I've seen a 3, maybe a pseudo-2, but I really want to be enveloped in a true dark sky and see everything my eyes and devices can take in.
Just drove through such dark skies and stopped briefly to soak it all in.
Great dark sky location, just be safe and watch each other's back out there that close to the boarder, it can become a dangerous area really quick
Dang man, didn't get to go this year or last year. I only live 8 hours away in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.
Thanks for sharing this video Nico. Awesome as always I hope you will be posting your photo's from this location, I can't wait to see them. How do you find out about these type of star parties in advance? I would love to go to one eventually.
Nice! There is no Bortle 1 in England where I am, unfortunately, Bortle 3 is the best we can have (Kielder Starcamp). Scotland has Bortle 2 (Galloway Starcamp) and even Bortle 1 in places. Wales has Bortle 2 in some places but only Bortle 4 at the Starcamps (Brecon Astrocamp, SWAG at Pencelli). There is a big difference between each Bortle number because the Bortle scale is exponential.
In the Bahamas knowing where to look I could see the dark horse in the MW!
Looks absolutely brilliant, but you can keep the tarantulas, here in England it's only the cloud and cold you have to worry about.
Cool video! Wish I could go to a dark sky location like that sometime 😊
One ask though, could you please put a small warning before showing a giant spider on the screen? I have pretty bad arachnophobia and it was pretty disturbing 😥
Yes, I hate spiders and people who snap their fingers.
Same
I despise spiders, but once you learn about them and understand most things just want to run away from you (even black bears and wolves), you won't be such a baby (coming from a mild arachnophobe). I actually have grown to like jumping spiders, because of how harmless and pet-like in nature they are. I still don't like other common spiders like adult grass spiders and house spiders, but as long as you learn and understand them, you don't have this weird irrationality about them. I still think most spiders are inherently creepy and should stay away. While Tarantulas are mostly non-aggressive and aren't that big a deal, I still would prefer to sleep off the ground and in a way where scorpions, spiders, and snakes can't take a space next to me.
So jealous!
Next May we'll be staying in Animas, NM 5 miles from the Dark Sky observatory (Class 1). The RV park rents observatories and all lights are red after dark and outside lights are prohibited. I hope to become more proficient with my setup by then...
❤️✨
I am fortunate living in Australia, live with Bortle 4 but after a 15 minute drive I have Bortle 2. I used to live with Bortle 1 which was frustrating. Why? You look up and think where do I start. Being able to see to all horizons and seeing a billion plus little lights. But the beauty of all this, Nebula, Galaxies, Star Clusters and Planets could be seen with just a good set of binoculars. And, clear skies for 80% of the year and no dew.
Yes, we are lucky here in Oz. I have a Bortle 2 spot 55 mins away, and a Bortle 1 1.5hrs away. So, a bit spoilt.
Same with me. I live 15 minutes away from the city in a bortle 8 zone, but can drive 45 minutes to get to a bortle 3, 1.5 hours to get to a bortle 2 and 2.5 hours to get to a bortle 1. Of course with the bortle 3 zone there is still a pretty significant light dome looking back at the city that extends to about 30 degrees above that horizon.
I have access to borderline 2 to 1 25 minutes away from a class 5ish. It's a BIG difference.
ayyyyy it me
0:33 what an amazing place this must be when the milky way is causing most of the 'light pollution'
Yes it is. Nico did a very thorough job of taking sqm readings. After your eyes night adapt, you don't need a headlamp, the stars light the ground.
@@afryhover I'd love to visit a bortle 1 zone some day. Sadly I live in the biggest light pollution hotspot on the planet if lightpollutionmap is anything to go by
Now I understand why people were calling me Nico - I was there, and am also from MA, with a pony tail.
Now I want to know how my class sky 4 compares to class 1 :D.
TIL there actually is Bortle 1 skies in the continental US
Me, an arachnophobic, at 0:46
Hey I have a doubt does brotle 1 looks like in the picture of just like stars and the outline?
Hello Nick. Is it true that at a Bortle 1 sky you can't see the clouds? According to Sky and Telescope, "The Scorpius and Sagittarius regions of the Milky Way cast obvious diffuse shadows on the ground." Is it really like that? Amazing experience that you're having, I'm looking forward to the other videos! Enjoy!
I'm not Nick, but I was there and yes, clouds are just black spots in the sky from a dark site. Lacking any local light sources, there is nothing to make them appear as bright grey haze like we see from cities. And once your eyes are dark adapted, you can indeed read a book to the light of the Milky Way. Even planets like Jupiter and Venus are annoyingly bright
@@brentnewton7055 Thank you Brent, that's amazing! I really need to find dark skies like these and have an experience like yours. Cheers!
Swing it for Bortle 1
So nobody talks about that robot? 😅
Almost impossible to find such area in Europe
Ugh! How on Earth can you get any astronomy done knowing that there are tarantulas walking around? A nightmare!
West Texas is darker. I've been to places with 0 light domes on the horizon. The Milky Way casts shadows.
Yes, Big Bend National Park is very good. But, I wouldn't say it's "darker than Okie-Tex". They are both great night skies and legit Bortle-1. Big Bend if far enough south that Omega and other objects are fantastic there.
I am really spoiled living out in rural Oklahoma. I can do pics with very little light pollution in my backyard.
Ah, fellow rural Oklahoman. SE corner here.
Anybody from Belgium want to go to dark location? Let me know.
SQM reading does not confirm that this is Bortle 1 zone
The bright milky way has a huge influence on my SQM readings. Bortle Scale is a visual system based on what one can see naked eye. So I confirmed Bortle 1 visually based on what I could see.
It was a 1 in multiple areas I checked on the Light Pollution Map, even around the Black Mesa area.