Martha Lake
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Martha Lake, WA. From the verified horizons at Paramount School Park to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Obstruction Point, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Martha Lake
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~8.2 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Obstruction Point as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Everett Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Martha Lake offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Martha Lake acts as a primary gateway to the Paramount School Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Obstruction Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Martha Lake
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Martha Lake, wait for the 4-day window surrounding the New Moon each month for the deepest contrast. Since the sun sets early in the late Winter months, you can often begin deep-sky imaging as early as 7 PM.
Expert Tips for Martha Lake Observers
When observing from Paramount School Park, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Martha Lake residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of WA to capture the lowest magnitude stars that are normally invisible from the city center. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (53.5 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Martha Lake
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Max out your local session by using the essential observer gear staged for the Martha Lake environment.
Paramount School Park
" Practically in Martha Lake's backyard, we recommend this for spontaneous nights. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" Just a quick dash for Martha Lake residents, this location offers great convenience. Park in the lower lot near the street. If that lot is full please park in the lot as far from the middle field as you can with your headlights facing away from the fields. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" A manageable drive from Martha Lake, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Heading out from Martha Lake toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Meteor Watching Tip: Don't look at one spot; keep your eyes moving across the sky. Your peripheral vision is more sensitive to motion. "
Covington Community Park
" Martha Lake observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Martha Lake
Rural conditions near Martha Lake provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Martha Lake
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Martha Lake observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Martha Lake, Obstruction Point serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Transparency remarkably good after yesterday's fire smoke, seeing very good. Few high clouds to the west and north, remnants of fire smoke to the northeast. Direct glare from many very bright lights on Vancouver Island and a few Port Angeles lights, otherwise the high ridges of the Olympic Mountains effectively block any other glare from the Puget Sound area. After moon sets, the zenith is quite dark with the Cygnus Milky Way very detailed, but a broad and fairly bright light dome toward Seattle and Puget Sound dominates the eastern sky. Excellent site for monitoring. Perhaps an area 30 degrees in diameter near the zenith offers reasonable visual observations."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Redoubt - American Camp provide Martha Lake residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Light domes all around, Victoria brightest and largest. Class 4. Hazy, fog to the south, high humidity, seeing very good, transparency fair. Sky at 30 degrees altitude and lower much poorer than other parts, airglow cannot be discerned because of light domes and haze. No Zodiacal light, even in AM. Evening hours better, Cygnus milky way at Zenith well displayed but later the entire band looks washed out. Dark adaptation difficult. Port Angeles and Port Townsend visible in early evening, lost in fog late. Puget Sound light dome subdued, Victoria light dome bright but cut off vertically to the south, presumably because of fog. Data sets 1-3 OK, 4th has problem with wire pulling out of camera, no good. 5th incomplete and no good."
Dark Sky Oasis near Martha Lake
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Certified dark skies like these are most rewarding when paired with the right aperture. Check out our suggested kit for Martha Lake observers.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Martha Lake stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
The protected skies at Antelope, Oregon represent a vital astronomical asset for the Martha Lake observing community.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Martha Lake
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Planning to join a local session? Make sure you have the essentials ready by checking our starter kit recommendations.
Gearing Up for Martha Lake Nights
"Since deep darkness at sites like the local staging areas is less than a 15-minute dash from Martha Lake, you can justify using heavier, high-aperture telescopes that would be a hassle to transport long distances."
The Martha Lake Field Kit
When observing near Martha Lake, the local atmospheric stability and the immediate access to verified hubs are your primary logistical factors. The difference between the Martha Lake city center and the instrumented readings at sites 8 miles away is staggering, requiring optics that can handle both glare and deep contrast. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.