Locations: DARC Observatory

Elevation: 1400 feet (425 meters)
Location: 25 miles south of Los Baños, California
Darkness: Blue zone.
Best Sky: All directions, especially south (see light pollution map, below).
Worst: There aren't really "bad" skies at DARC, but if I had to point which are the "worst" areas, East and North do get a slight light dome from Fresno and Los Baños.

The DARC Observatory is private "by invitation only" property, and usually only available on New Moon Saturdays. Horizons are great all around except perhaps for the north, where the observatory is, blocking perhaps 30 degrees or so, as seen from the area where we usually setup.

I love DARC for three reasons. First, the hospitality of Bob and Lee, the owners, is a big factor. Second, skies are pretty good. Sure, there's not much altitude, but the darkness of the site makes up for it. Third, the observatory itself provides us with things such as Internet access, large LCD TV screens, kitchen, bath, etc. Sure, you don't go to DARC to watch TV or surf the net, but depending on your goals, during a long imaging night it's not a bad thing to know you can count on that. Lee and Bob let you use electricity if you ask, but I recommend anyone going there to bring their batteries and run their rig without having to ask to be plugged in. In case of an emergency is not a bad thing in any case.

The bad part? It's a two hours drive from my home in Sunnyvale. I don't mind the drive going there, but going back home, sometimes at 4am or later... That can be a bit heavy. You're welcome to stay until sunrise or later, and get some ZZ's in your car, but I usually don't do that and head home the moment I'm done.

Light Pollution Map

Aerial views

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