russ_watters said:If you go to a not too busy stretch of beach, such as on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake not only isn't there much light around, but a full half of the sky is totally without lights.
The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy that contains our solar system, including the Earth. It is estimated to be around 13.51 billion years old and is home to billions of stars, including our sun.
Yes, the Milky Way can be seen in the Washington DC area, but it is difficult due to light pollution. The best time to see the Milky Way is during a new moon when the sky is darkest.
The best place to view the Milky Way in the Washington DC area is at a dark sky site, away from city lights. Some recommended places include Shenandoah National Park and Cherry Springs State Park.
Yes, there are often stargazing events and astronomy programs held at local parks and observatories in the Washington DC area. These are great opportunities to view the Milky Way with knowledgeable guides.
To capture images of the Milky Way in the Washington DC area, you will need a camera with manual settings and a tripod. Find a dark sky site and use a wide-angle lens with a low aperture to capture the best images. You can also use a star tracker for longer exposure shots.