The Ursid meteor shower, peaking from Dec 21-22, and the Quadrantid meteor shower, peaking from Jan 2-3, offer opportunities for stargazing this winter. Although light pollution is a challenge in urban areas like Nashville, some locations can provide clearer views of the night sky.
Theo Wellington, treasurer of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society and president of the Tennessee chapter of Dark Sky International, recommends visiting sites further away from the city to observe the best celestial displays. Here are his top suggestions:
* Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky (1.5 hours from Nashville)
* Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky-Tennessee border (2 hours from downtown)
* Fall Creek Falls State Park (2 hours from Nashville)
* Obed Wild and Scenic River (2.5 hours from Nashville), a Dark Sky Park with total lighting restrictions
* Pickett CCC Memorial State Park in northern Tennessee (2 hours from Nashville)
For those closer to Nashville, options include:
– Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society star parties at Shelby Bottoms
– Bells Bend Park (closed at dusk but hosts stargazing events)
– Love Circle (a favorite among locals with a good view of the city and sky)
– Percy Priest Dam
Wellington advises turning off outdoor lights to minimize light pollution and invites neighbors to join in, as “together we could all enjoy more of the beauty of the night sky.”
Source: https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/12/20/best-places-to-stargaze-nashville/77051551007