Odd Question..

[Merlin1066]

Does anyone know of a good spot either in or around Gettysburg to go star gazing? I've seen a post or 2 about LRT but it's closed. I want my daughter what the sky really looks like LOL. I live very close to Philadelphia in NJ. Light polution is really bad in this area. We will be in Gettysburg again in the beginning of May for a whole week! Her and I will just go for a Sunday drive out there a few times a year. We are both looking forward to our next trip out there. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You in advance!

 

[tomlamarcooughlin]

Odd answer: About 1 hour away is a wonderful little battlefield on top of a 1000 foot mountain that should be a superb place to star gaze. It is Crampton's Gap with a wonderful view of the valley below where the defenders were shocked to see the huge number of Union campfires that promised trouble as their defenses anticipated only probes by scouting parties. The next day, Lee ordered them to defend the gap without regard to the cost in human life. They defended at a great cost which delayed the Union advance long enough to allow Lee to reunite his divided army before Antietam.

 

[mwalker6043]

East Cavalry Field

 

[Story]

@Merlin1066

Closer to home https://thedigestonline.com/nj/best-places-to-stargaze-in-new-jersey-2020/

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

Does anyone know of a good spot either in or around Gettysburg to go star gazing? I've seen a post or 2 about LRT but it's closed. I want my daughter what the sky really looks like LOL. I live very close to Philadelphia in NJ. Light polution is really bad in this area. We will be in Gettysburg again in the beginning of May for a whole week! Her and I will just go for a Sunday drive out there a few times a year. We are both looking forward to our next trip out there. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You in advance!

I don't have a specific spot to recommend in or around Gettysburg, but once you get out of town, you'll find little ambient light in any location without streetlights, so any rural location should give you better views than you find at home. You may want to contact the Hatter Planetarium at Gettysburg College for help in finding a good location. The planetarium director is Ian Clarke, who writes an occasional astronomy column for the local newspaper, The Gettysburg Times. You can find Mr. Clarke's contact information on the "Faculty" page of the Planetarium's website. I hope this will be helpful.

 

[Merlin1066]

Odd answer: About 1 hour away is a wonderful little battlefield on top of a 1000 foot mountain that should be a superb place to star gaze. It is Crampton's Gap with a wonderful view of the valley below where the defenders were shocked to see the huge number of Union campfires that promised trouble as their defenses anticipated only probes by scouting parties. The next day, Lee ordered them to defend the gap without regard to the cost in human life. They defended at a great cost which delayed the Union advance long enough to allow Lee to reunite his divided army before Antietam.

Is it accessible at night? Thanks for the reply!

 

[Merlin1066]

I don't have a specific spot to recommend in or around Gettysburg, but once you get out of town, you'll find little ambient light in any location without streetlights, so any rural location should give you better views than you find at home. You may want to contact the Hatter Planetarium at Gettysburg College for help in finding a good location. The planetarium director is Ian Clarke, who writes an occasional astronomy column for the local newspaper, The Gettysburg Times. You can find Mr. Clarke's contact information on the "Faculty" page of the Planetarium's website. I hope this will be helpful.

I didn't know there was a planetarium on campus. Sounds like a really good place to ask, Thanks for the reply!

 

[Merlin1066]

@Merlin1066

Closer to home https://thedigestonline.com/nj/best-places-to-stargaze-in-new-jersey-2020/

Thats a cool link! Thank You so much!!

 

[Merlin1066]

East Cavalry Field

 

[Merlin1066]

East Cavalry Field

That would be the easiest option! We'll definitely check that out, Thank You for the reply!

 

[tomlamarcooughlin]

Is it accessible at night? Thanks for the reply!

Merlin: Access is via a public road that goes through and since there is no way to shut it off, I have to believe the answer is yes and that you'll find a place to park and star gaze. Also, (FYI) the Appalachian Trail crosses the top of Crampton's Gap.

 

[Merlin1066]

Merlin: Access is via a public road that goes through and since there is no way to shut it off, I have to believe the answer is yes and that you'll find a place to park and star gaze. Also, (FYI) the Appalachian Trail crosses the top of Crampton's Gap.

PERFECT!, I'll be sure to check that out. We are going to make a trip out there sometime in December-January. That will be my 4th planned trip so far, we never need much of an excuse LOL. Thanks Again for the reply!

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

East Cavalry Field

East Cavalry Field is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park administered by the National Park Service. Superintendent Sims has amended the hours when the park is open. The park now closes at sundown and reopens at sunrise. Hence, East Cavalry Battlefield is closed during the night. This will apply anywhere in the park. I don't think that there are gates that get closed at East Cavalry Field, but my understanding is that the park enforcement does patrol the area, so they are likely to ask you to leave.

 

[Merlin1066]

East Cavalry Field is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park administered by the National Park Service. Superintendent Sims has amended the hours when the park is open. The park now closes at sundown and reopens at sunrise. Hence, East Cavalry Battlefield is closed during the night. This will apply anywhere in the park. I don't think that there are gates that get closed at East Cavalry Field, but my understanding is that the park enforcement does patrol the area, so they are likely to ask you to leave.

I was curious about that location as well. I know the park as a whole closes at dusk. This was actually going to be my next question about ECF. You answered it, Thank You!