<p>Wherever you have a dark place, you can see the Milky Way. Anywhere in the countryside, far from large cities might work. And it doesn't need to be a very far away - a few km may do the work, specially if there are some hills in between.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-16T18:29:09.213Z
2020-04-16T18:29:09.213Z
Pere
<p>Most light pollution is scattered in the lower 6000 ft of the atmosphere (one mile) so you don't need to get terribly far from a city to get  &quot;out from under&quot; the scatter. I live 30 miles (over water) from a city of 1.5 million. In my area, star visibility is limited by atmospheric conditions, not light pollution. Under good conditions, the Milky Way is visible in detail.</p>
<p>Because light pollution is low altitude, getting a mountain between you and the pollution source is very effective. We have a narrow fiord nearby with 3000ft mountains. The sky is absolutely spectacular, like the best photographs.</p>
<p>Anywhere on the ocean is great, too. Once you are 20 miles offshore, stars are visible right down to a hard cut-off at the horizon</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-14T08:21:07.193Z
2023-12-14T17:07:32.220Z
2023-12-14T17:07:32.220Z
Woody
<p>Light pollution is restricting most people from ever seeing the Milky Way from the Earth.</p>

<p>Is there any place in India where I can see the Milky Way?</p>

<p>Is there a database or site with the list of all places where I can see it?</p>

<p>Also, how can we calculate that?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-15T21:49:05.517Z
https://india.mongabay.com/2019/01/light-pollution-on-the-rise-in-india-study/
Spencer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-14T08:35:13.633Z
great question that will be useful to many other people!
ayr
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-14T09:01:25.277Z
In addition to choosing a location far enough away from the lights of a town, make sure that at the time of night when you will be observing the Milky Way, the Moon is below the horizon.
Albert
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-14T14:23:23.957Z
Give your eyes some time to adapt to the darkness. you will see much more stars after about 15 minutes without any artificial shining into your eyes.
Uwe
<milky-way><light-pollution>
When can I see the Milky Way from the Earth?
Bej
# When can I see the Milky Way from the Earth?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-15)

Light pollution is restricting most people from ever seeing the Milky Way from the Earth.

Is there any place in India where I can see the Milky Way?

Is there a database or site with the list of all places where I can see it?

Also, how can we calculate that?

**Tags:** milky-way, light-pollution

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: https://india.mongabay.com/2019/01/light-pollution-on-the-rise-in-india-study/  
> **username_2**: great question that will be useful to many other people!  
> **username_3**: In addition to choosing a location far enough away from the lights of a town, make sure that at the time of night when you will be observing the Milky Way, the Moon is below the horizon.  
> **username_4**: Give your eyes some time to adapt to the darkness. you will see much more stars after about 15 minutes without any artificial shining into your eyes.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2020-04-16. Score: 5

Wherever you have a dark place, you can see the Milky Way. Anywhere in the countryside, far from large cities might work. And it doesn't need to be a very far away - a few km may do the work, specially if there are some hills in between.


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2023-12-14. Score: 5

Most light pollution is scattered in the lower 6000 ft of the atmosphere (one mile) so you don't need to get terribly far from a city to get "out from under" the scatter. I live 30 miles (over water) from a city of 1.5 million. In my area, star visibility is limited by atmospheric conditions, not light pollution. Under good conditions, the Milky Way is visible in detail.

Because light pollution is low altitude, getting a mountain between you and the pollution source is very effective. We have a narrow fiord nearby with 3000ft mountains. The sky is absolutely spectacular, like the best photographs.

Anywhere on the ocean is great, too. Once you are 20 miles offshore, stars are visible right down to a hard cut-off at the horizon


---

