State Research Hub

The Darkest Skies
in Vermont

We've analyzed scientific data across 8 locations in Vermont to find the ultimate destinations for deep-space observation.

National Park Service Champions

Scientific Rankings
1

Park Road

Mont-Megantic National Park

21.6 SQM
Bortle Class 3

"Clear, calm night with good transparency. A slight haze visible over the low horizon to the north. Seeing is fair. Fine detail in the Milky Way, with several easy deep-sky objects readily visible. The core of the Sherbrooke light dome is blocked by Mont Notre Dame and Mont Megantic creating a dark bowl like effect, excellent for visual observing. The light dome from Quebec city was visible low on the north horizon, parially blocked by trees, but still evident when dark adapted. No light dome was so bright as to interfere with dark adaptation."

Observation Date
9/23/2017
Elevation
520m
Zenith Brightness
21.86
2

Observatory

Mont-Megantic National Park

21.55 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"Clear, calm night with good transparency. A slight haze visible over the low horizon above Sherbrooke, and slight banding to the north."

Observation Date
9/22/2017
Elevation
1105m
Zenith Brightness
21.76
3

Concord Bridge

Minute Man NHP

20.23 SQM
Bortle Class 5

"Fog in field lowland, possibly some patchy fog. Bright site"

Observation Date
9/17/2007
Elevation
40m
Zenith Brightness
20.56

Certified Dark Sky Parks

IDA Registered

AMC Maine Woods

International Dark Sky Park

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative lands consist of over 400 square kilometers of land in central Maine, U.S. The park is at the edge…

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Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

International Dark Sky Sanctuary

Within the North Woods of Maine, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument covers an area of approximately 87,500 acres within a larger landscape already…

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Observer's Log

Browse Cities in Vermont

Need hyper-local data? We have detailed scientific reports for 8 unique locations across the state.