Where can I see the Milky Way in Europe?

Question

I'd like to see the Milky Way. There is a lot of light pollution in the area I live in (a value of around 6 on the Bortle scale). I can see a few stars at night, but not the Milky Way. I understand the Milky Way becomes visible at a value of 4 on the Bortle scale, but I would really like to see it clearly, so I am looking for a place with a value of 3 or lower.

I've looked on http://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html but most decent-looking spot appears to be in inaccessible areas, like Eifel National Park which is closed at night.

Where in Europe can I clearly see the Milky Way with the following restrictions:

• Within a day's trip from Antwerp (say up to 8 hours by car or plane+drive and the next day to get back).
• Accessible without a visa for EU-citizens.
• Maximum brightness of 3, preferably 2 or even 1 on the Bortle scale.
• Accessible. I'd like to go there by car or regular public transport. I'm willing to walk up to 10 km if needed. No special gear needed to get there.
• Accessible at night. If this site is in a park, the park should be open at night (seasonal opening hours are fine, one time a year is not).
• Not crazy expensive or to access (think private plane or boat).
• Optionally: an event that creates a dark site where I can see the Milky Way, like all lights out in a city.

Photo by Greg

Answer 1

Galloway Forest Park is the UK’s first Dark Sky Park.

I understand the BBC wanted to make a feature film there, but when the crew discovered there were no facilities in the style they were accustomed to, they never did. Perhaps that remoteness would suit you.

You can fly to Glasgow and take a trip from there.

Almost by definition, most easily accessed places will be well populated and have massive light pollution in the sky.

Answer 2

One of the best astronomical sites in the world: Pic du Midi Observatory in the Pyrenees mountains.

(photo from official website)

Tourists are welcomed up there and you can spend a night at the summit (€399 for a double room, including diner and guided star observation).

Toulouse airport is at two hours drive.

Answer 3

Naturpark Westhavelland

Despite being only 70 km from Berlin away, it is one of the darkest places in Middle Europe, equaling even Namibia with 21,78 mag/arcsec². It was considered a Star Park by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) at 2014. Even airglow and polar light observation is possible.

German website: http://www.sternenpark-havelland.de/

Answer 4

Going by the map you provided, Vlieland seems to be a good option. It's not too far from Antwerp and about as dark (according to your map) as Galloway Forest Park mentioned in the accepted answer.

Answer 5

Spain has some of the darkest skies (and lowest population densities) of western Europe. Two relatively accessible locations are the surroundings of the Cijara reservoir and the Serranía de Cuenca. Both are within less than 3 hours drive from Madrid airport, and both are Bortle class 2 sites (here and here). Both sites have unrestricted access and have accomodation and other services more or less nearby.

I know this answer is terribly late but I hope it helps someone.

Answer 6

While maybe not as dark as you ask, many locations in the Belgium Ardennes will be dark enough for a good view of the sky at night.

It might even be possible to get back to Antwerp in time for work the next day.

Answer 7

The further north, the better your chances. Given where you live, Scandinavia would be the best bet in my opinion. You want to be further from a city, ideally. Winter gives you enhanced opportunities to see it, due to the longer nights up north (at the expense of the temperatures being colder). You want some place with a good probability of clear skies.

Also understand that the aurora can be fickle. You can go weeks or months without seeing it in some places, and then have it several days in a row. The more flexible your travel plans are, the better chances you have to see them.

I live in prairie Canada at latitude 50.5 north. I see them off to the north several times a year, but I have seen them directly overhead only three or four times. (One has to be available, and one has to know they're visible.) When they're really good we drive a half an hour out of the city toward the north (so that the northern sky is darker) onto the prairie, where we have clear seeing in all directions.

Because the magnetic pole affects the location of aurora, at a given latitude, you're more likely to see them in in western and central North America than in Europe, but the same latitudes in Europe are much more populated and easier to traverse.

EDIT: To see the Milky Way, it's a lot easier. You just need a very dark sky (and ideally a clear view in all directions). Much of the same advice as for the aurora will work, but the northern destinations appeal more for the long nights and the distance from city lights than for other reasons. I'd recommend trying to do both at once - it would be fun!