Guided by ETSU experts, discover stargazing spots in Appalachia

It can be a challenge to leave the glare of city lights, even in the more rural areas of Appalachia.

Light pollution, too, isn’t a friend to stargazers, helping mask the planets, stars and galaxies.

But that doesn’t mean you have to journey thousands of miles to marvel at cosmic views.

“One can certainly enjoy stargazing by traveling just a few miles out into the countryside,” said Dr. Gary Henson, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the ETSU Planetarium .

For those interested in stargazing and related events, Henson offers some recommendations and tips.

ETSU Observatory

The Harry D. Powell Astronomical Observatory at ETSU holds a range of events throughout the year, with the first one happening on Sept. 7. These free events happen one Saturday each month during the academic year. During the open houses, telescopes will be set up and available for visitors to use.

The observatory is located at 1101 Narrow Lane in Johnson City.

ETSU Planetarium

The Planetarium at ETSU is a spacious theater capable of stunning visual graphics thanks to a state-of the-art, full-dome digital projection system.

The first public show of the new academic year is Aug. 22 with a theme of searching for planets orbiting stars other than our sun.

Beauty Spot

Known for breathtaking panoramic views of both Tennessee and North Carolina, the Unaka Mountain Beauty Spot is located on the Appalachian Trail in Unicoi County.

Area residents have raved about the views for years, but amateur hikers should be warned: some areas of the trail can be steep.

Mile Marker 47

On Interstate 26, traveling northbound, is the overlook at mile marker 47.

It offers a large, circular concrete viewing area to take in the sights. It’s also well elevated over the interstate, meaning headlights don’t usually create a major light pollution issue.

Tips

– Always check the weather before you travel. Clear and dry conditions are most suitable for stargazing.

– An open meadow or field allows viewers to see more of the sky, making the experience more enjoyable.

– Always learn more about an area before visiting. Hiking challenges, road closures and more should be checked out ahead of time.

– If you are ever curious about the level of dark skies in our region or wherever you may be traveling, visit the World Atlas Night Sky Brightness map.

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