Speedway
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Speedway area serves as a strategic corridor for IN observers. We combine community-vetted spots like West Lafayette Observatory with professional NPS sky reports at Houchin's Field for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Speedway
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: West Lafayette Observatory. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~57.8 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Houchin's Field as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Indiana Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Speedway offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
As a regional observation basecamp, Speedway offers the essential amenities needed before heading into the isolated darkness of Houchin's Field. It marks the transition where the suburban light dome finally gives way to the true wilderness sky.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Speedway
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Speedway, 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 Speedway Observers
When observing from West Lafayette Observatory, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Speedway residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of IN 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 Houchin's Field (183.8 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Speedway
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 Speedway environment.
West Lafayette Observatory
" For the dedicated Speedway observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. Veteran Pro-Tip: Avoid using your phone's white screen. Even with low brightness, it resets your eye's Rhodopsin levels instantly. "
Prairie Grass Observatory
" A manageable drive from Speedway, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Observation Hack: Use a planisphere or a printed star chart under a red light instead of a digital app for the most authentic experience. "
Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from Speedway, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
Lilly Nature Center at Celery Bog
" Pack some snacks for the drive from Speedway; this destination is a justified detour. Thermal Mastery: Set your telescope out an hour early to allow the mirrors to reach 'thermal equilibrium' with the night air. "
Hershey Elementary School
" For the dedicated Speedway observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. Deep Sky Advice: Allow at least 20 minutes in total darkness for your pupils to fully dilate. You'll notice faint nebulae that were invisible at first. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Speedway
Rural conditions near Speedway provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Speedway
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, Speedway observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Houchin's Field
Mammoth Cave NP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Houchin's Field provide Speedway residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Dewfall occurred during data collection, however dew heater prevented lens fog. Multiple light domes evident from site, as well as a continuous glow along horizon in all directions. Airglow was present. Andromeda galaxy easily visible, Beehive (Pegasus) visible with medium effort. Prominent dust lanes in Milky Way visible at zenith, but not below ~50 degrees."
Kemil Beach
Indiana Dunes NL
Local Relevance
Speedway enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Kemil Beach to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"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)."
Dark Sky Oasis near Speedway
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Planning a trip to a nearby Dark Sky Park? Ensure your kit is ready by viewing our staged observer advice below.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Speedway stargazers often look to Middle Fork River Forest Preserve as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
3433 County Rd 2700 E, Penfield, IL 61862 USA
Beverly Shores, Indiana
The protected skies at Beverly Shores, Indiana represent a vital astronomical asset for the Speedway observing community.
Indiana, USA
Astronomy Clubs for Speedway
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 Speedway Nights
"Heading out on a major drive from Speedway justifies a "survival kit" approach: folding chairs, a thermos, and high-contrast planetary filters to make every mile of that journey count at the eyepiece."
The Speedway Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Speedway requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With West Lafayette Observatory sitting at a ~58-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.