Guide To Stargazing in Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is one of the best places  to view the night sky. A short drive to one of our beautiful state parks or a longer trip out to the famous Buffalo National River and Ozark National Forrest is a great way to experience the night sky and get into stargazing. Many people feel daunted by astronomy and don't know where to start so we created this easy-to-read guide that will highlight locations, how to get started, and some helpful tips for viewing the cosmos! 

Getting Started

 People often think to get started in astronomy and stargazing you must have fancy optics like telescopes and star trackers and know a lot about constellations, but the truth is you can enjoy the night stars right in your backyard or local state park without any fancy equipment. The great part about viewing the night sky is there are a lot of ways people enjoy it. Some like to look up at constellations or figure out what star is what, while others like to dive into astrophotography and capture stunning images. Others might like to just sit in a camping chair and stare up at the night sky in amazement. The best way to start is to figure out what experience you want when viewing the night stars and that will help tailor the experience to you. Here are some of our tips for getting started.

1. Learn the Basics: The first step in stargazing is to start with the basics. Star off by locating the Big Dipper constellation. The Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major or Plough, is the best beginner consultation to learn because it is there 365 days a year and will help you locate north. This will be your starting point if you ever want to dive deeper into constellations and figure out what the stars in the night sky are. This short YouTube video from WikiHow is a great tutorial on finding the Big Dipper.
   
2. Adapt to the Darkness: This tip is simple. Just as it sounds it means you need to get used to the darkness and let your eyes adjust. This will help you view a lot more stars and see better in the dark. To keep your eyes adjusted to the dark don't turn on any bright lights or screens, try and use devices on low brightness or lights with a red-light pattern, any sporting goods or hunting store will sell headlamps or flashlights that are red-tinted. If you already have a flashlight and want to be crafty you can rubber band or tape red cloth or a red balloon over the light and this will give any modern flashlight a red tint!
3. Bring the Right Gear: This includes proper clothing and items to keep you comfortable. The night stars are most visible in areas further away from the city and light pollution so you should prepare appropriately to be in a wide variety of weather conditions. Bring spare clothing and items that can help keep you warm if the temperature drops. We also recommend you bring a chair if you plan to watch the stars and night sky for more than a few minutes. A camping chair or deck chair can help keep your neck from straining while looking up at the sky. 
4. Use Educational Tools: If you want to learn more about astronomy, then seeking out education or using technology can help you! There are a lot of celestial guide apps available on your smartphone that use your phone's GPS to show you exactly what the night sky from your point of view looks like and what constellations are where. This is an interactive and great way for beginners to start learning stars, their names, and what planets are where. Additionally, Hobbs State Park offers astronomy nights for beginners where Sugar Creek Astronomical Society and Hobbs State Park Rangers team up and bring telescopes for everyone to use and view planets and star clusters. The night sky changes throughout the night and even the seasons so we recommend beginners download an app that can help them understand the wonders of the night sky.  

When To Stargaze

When stargazing you can have a distinct experience and see different stars or night sky events based on time of year, weather, moon phase, and your location! The list below will help you walk through the best times, so you do not have to worry about missing the perfect star-gazing night. 

1. Check the Moon: The first important part of astronomy is to check the moon's phases. If it is night stars you wish to view then you will find it best to see and view them when it is a New-Moon. However, the moon itself can also be a cool feature to watch. There are harvest moons, and super moons most years so it is important to keep an eye on your calendar, so you do not miss an awesome moon! A moon phase calendar can be found here.
2. Weather: The most unpredictable and biggest dampener on great star viewing is bad weather. If it is cloudy then you will not be able to see much of the night stars. We recommend checking the weather only a few days out as well as the day of, before heading anywhere to stargaze to ensure that it will not be too cloudy.
3. Look at an astronomy event calendar: In Northwest Arkansas, we are lucky to get so many different astronomy events. Astronomy events that are common to view are super moons like harvest moons or blue moons. Other common stargazing events include meteor showers and even man-made events like the International Space Station and StarLink satellites traveling across the night sky. 

Our Favorite Spots 

Hobbs State Park: Hobbs State Park is a wonderful place for stargazing in Northwest Arkansas. For the best viewing with the least amount of light pollution, we recommend heading to the far Northeastern part of the lake. There are a couple of great spots, one is the Starkey Public Use Area by the Starkey Marina. Another great spot is near the Beaver Lake Dam at the Beaver Dam Site Park. Be sure to keep an eye out for any special stargazing events hosted by the park. These occasions often feature seasoned astronomers who can guide you through the intricacies of the night sky, enhancing your understanding of the cosmos. 

Devil's Den State Park: If you are located in Northwest Arkansas, especially Fayetteville, then Devil's Den State Park is a short drive and a great spot to stargaze. Situated in the Ozarks Mountains, the park's elevated location provides a clear view of the stars away from the city lights. Once night falls, the park reveals a stunning display of stars, planets, and occasionally, meteor showers. Whether you are an astronomy enthusiast with a telescope, or someone looking to relax and observe, Devil's Den has options for everyone. 

Image Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism 

 

Withrow Springs State Park: Stargazing at Withrow Springs State Park is a captivating experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the night sky within the serene natural surroundings of the park. Located in Northwest Arkansas, Withrow Springs offers an opportunity to escape the city lights and witness the wonders of the night sky. 

Buffalo National River: One of the best spots in Northwest Arkansas for stargazing is at the Buffalo National River. The Buffalo offers an unforgettable celestial experience. Nestled within the stunning natural landscapes of the Ozarks with booming sandstone and limestone bluffs, this remote and untouched area provides an ideal setting for observing the night sky. The river winding amongst the rock formations creates a picturesque setting as the Milky Way stretches across the landscape. The Buffalo National River is a registered Dark Sky location, meaning the location is recognized for its efforts to minimize light pollution so there are ample stargazing and astronomy opportunities for current and future generations to experience. 

Upcoming Events in Northwest Arkansas in 2024

September:

• September 18th is the partial Lunar Eclipse.
• September 26th-28th is the Dark Sky Festival south of the Buffalo River.
• September 29th is the Harvest Moon.

October:

• October 7th is the Draconoid Meteor Shower.
• October 21st-22nd is the Orionid meteor shower.

November:

• November 17th and 18th is the Leonid meteor Shower.

December:

• December 13th and 14th is the Geminid meteor shower.
• December 21st and 22nd is the Ursid meteor shower.

If we missed any events feel free to email us here and we will be sure to update this list!