Hi Matt,At FDO, we often suggest that astronomers who want to set up on nights when we are closed, do so on East Beach Road, which is just a mile or so west of Ninigret Park. You'll see the map at:
http://www.frostydrew.org/observatory/roadway.htmIt is simply a beach access road with relatively little traffic. It shares the dark skies that we often have across the narrow body of water known both as Ninigret Pond and Foster's Cove. The Charlestown police have grown used to seeing your fellow astronomers down there. We often let the police department know we are around although that isn't a necessity.
I would suggest you use our weather tools to see if the drive from the Boston area makes sense. We have a "Clear Sky Clock" and a "Cloud Coverage Satellite Map" at: http://www.frostydrew.org/observatory/weather.htm Coastal RI has its own unique weather, more in keeping with Mauntauk and the open Atlantic than Providence. We can be cloudy when they are clear and vice versa.
Les Coleman Matt BenDaniel wrote:
Dear SNEGazers: My name is Matt BenDaniel and have just joined this list. I'm an astrophotographer based near Boston and a member of ATMoB. I'm a friend of Lew Gramer, who I believe has been on this list. Please see pix on my web site. I usually drive to New Hampshire to image, but I don't have a good site there this winter. I've heard the southern skies are dark on the RI shore, for example near Charlestown. I'm wondering if y'all would share info about good sites. I have 300 lbs of equipment, so I need to set up somewhere car accessible. I try to set up before sundown and will image until dawn/moonrise if possible. I seek locations where I won't have to worry about headlights. I understand that FDO is gated and I think that makes it impractical for my usage pattern.
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