To assess the darkness rating of a potential viewing location, what is one tool suggested for checking skyglow levels?
Answer
An online light pollution map, often using scales like the Bortle Scale.
To effectively plan a stargazing expedition away from the detrimental effects of artificial skyglow, observers are advised to utilize modern mapping tools. One key resource mentioned is an online light pollution map that provides quantitative assessments of the darkness in specific regions. These maps frequently utilize established metrics, such as the Bortle Scale, to rate the darkness level, allowing an observer to gauge how many magnitudes of starlight might be obscured by local artificial lighting before even traveling to the site.

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