The Night Sky
A Stellar Stargazing Experience in the Eastern Sierra
Welcome
The Eastern Sierra still has incredibly dark, clear skies. Here in the Owens Valley on the east side of the Sierra Nevada there are many easily accessible places where night sky viewing is exceptional.
Visitors to our area tell us that they are awestruck by the abundance of stars and clarity of the Milky Way on a moonless night.
The night sky has captured the human imagination from time immemorial. Scientists, artists, philosophers, photographers, lovers, and people of all cultures have gazed up at the sky in wonder.
Did you know?
Light pollution map of North America
There are countless children and adults who have never seen the Milky Way ? Experts say that 80% of North Americans and one-third of humanity can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live due to light pollution.
The Milky Way is as obvious here in the Owens Valley as it was when Galileo first focused his rudimentary telescope at this phenomenon in 1610 and discovered that it was made up of stars.
What makes it so great?
What makes the Eastern Sierra so special for night sky viewing is that so many of the settings have spectacular natural beauty of their own. Outdoor enthusiasts, astronomers, and photographers will be enthralled and engaged by a night out in the Eastern Sierra.
The Milky Way arcs overhead the Alabama Hills
The lack of light pollution in the Owens Valley is largely due to the fact that it is one the least populated regions in the country. The valley is about 100 miles long by 6 to 18 miles wide, with a land area of about 3,330 square miles and has a population density of just 5.25 persons per square mile. It is considered to be one of the deepest valleys in the United States. Situated at about 4,500 feet above sea level the valley floor is flanked by two of the highest mountain ranges on the continent. The magnificent and well-known Sierra Nevada rise up dramatically on the west side of the valley to over 14,000 feet. The White and Inyo Mountains are the gentle giants to the east that rise as high in some places.
As well as being sparsely populated, the Owens Valley has a semi-arid climate that is characterized as ‘high desert’. The massive Sierra Nevada range casts a ‘rain shadow’ over the valley and statistics show that there is about a 92% chance of clear weather, which adds up to about 335 clear nights a year. The range also ‘shades’ the valley from the glow of the densely populated central and coastal regions of California.
All this contributes to the region having low light pollution, clear air, and very few cloudy nights. The heart of the Eastern Sierra is perfectly situated for a brilliant night sky experience.
Night Sky Experience
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to see, at least once in a lifetime, the amazing spectacle of the Milky Way and an intensely sparkling, starry night sky. The Eastern Sierra is one of only a few remote places left in the world where stargazing is still a stellar experience. This interactive guide will help you learn more about an Eastern Sierra night sky experience.
Resources
Convict Lake & the Milky Way. Red tail lights of passing car illuminate rocks in foreground.
When planning your trip to view the night sky consider all the various aspects that will affect what you will see in the sky. Keep a close watch on the weather and what each season will bring into view. Here are a number of informative links that you can use to research and plan your trip.
Visit Bishop
For more detailed information on local weather, as well as other things to do and see in and around Bishop, stop in at the Bishop Information Center at 690 N. Main St. in Bishop. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you plan your trip to get the best possible experience.
