Hannibal.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Hannibal, MO. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
3
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
21.37
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Hannibal

  • Top Community Pick: Gardner Camp (~9.9 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Kemil Beach
  • Local Experts: Gardner Camp Youth Astronomy Club
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near Hannibal, MO? While enthusiasts often gather at Gardner Camp for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Kemil Beach provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 6.0. Atmospheric stability in the Hannibal region is often influenced by local topography, which can help settle the air for high-magnification viewing.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Hannibal

Since Hannibal sits in a transitional light zone, viewing is best during the New Moon or after midnight when some commercial lighting is reduced.

Expert Tips for Hannibal Observers

Before heading out to Gardner Camp, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. A medium-aperture telescope is ideal for resolving the rings of Saturn and bright star clusters at this spot. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Gardner Camp

9.9 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Hull, IL 62343
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Whiteside Conservation Area [Dark Sky Site]

55.1 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Troy, MO NaN
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Pere Marquette State Park

68.3 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Grafton, IL 62037
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 57.5%

Pere Marquette State Park Visitor Center

68.3 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Grafton, IL 62037
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 42.5%

Winchester Public Library

50.2 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Winchester, IL 62694
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Scientific Audit

NPS Sky Measurements

Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.

Kemil Beach

Indiana Dunes NL

19.88 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"Set up about 50' from the water in a depression in the sand dunes. Local glare from the western most home in the "1933 Century of Progress" homes. Other glare sources from the power plants to the SW and NE along the lakeshore are easily visible but did not saturate the camera sensor. A clear view across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline, though clouds and haze never completely cleared away. I suspect the industrial developments from the Port of Indiana all the way around to Chicago has a significant impact on aeresols and local cloud development. Even so, at 35 miles distant, the illuminated buildings of the Chicago skyline were easily visible to the naked eye on this evening. The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features. Was able to see 6.2 LM in Ursa Major (which was over the lake to the darker north)."

Observation Date
7/24/2017
Elevation
179m
Zenith Brightness
20.08

Heritage Center

Homestead NM

21.37 SQM
Bortle Class 3

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Heritage Center in Homestead NM on 9/27/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.37 SQM."

Observation Date
9/27/2005
Elevation
403m
Zenith Brightness
21.14

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 73.7 miles

Thousand Hills State Park

Thousand Hills State Park is situated in northeast Missouri just a few miles west of the city of Kirksville. The park consists of 3,086 acres with Forest Lake…

Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Certified
2024
Land Area
12.46 Sq. Km
Coordinates
40.1757, -92.6446
IDA Certified Distance: 89.6 miles

Stacy Park

Stacy Park is a 35-acre park located in Olivette, Missouri and is approximately 10 miles west of St. Louis City. Established in 1926, Stacy Park is one of five…

Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Certified
2021
Land Area
0.14 km2
Coordinates
38.6708, -90.3941

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#635

Gardner Camp Youth Astronomy Club

Hull, IL

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#415

Central Missouri Amateur Astronomers

Columbia, MO