1️⃣ No Moon: Make sure that the moon is NOT in the sky. The moon is bright and it tends to wash out the stars and the Milky Way, making them hard to see.
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2️⃣ The Milky Way rises two hours earlier each month during the year (below are the moonless nights each month):
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🗓️ April (4-14) -> rises at 2am
🗓️ May (1-12)-> rises at Midnight
🗓️ June (1-8) -> rises at 10pm
🗓️ July (1-7) -> visible as soon at it gets dark - after 9:30pm
🗓️ August (1-7) -> visible as soon at it gets dark - after 9:30pm
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3️⃣ Proceed to Stargazing Areas. These locations have parking, restrooms, and are near the main road.
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🔆 Ryan Mountain Trail parking lot
🔆 Hidden Valley parking lot
🔆 Quail Springs parking lot
🔆 Cap Rock parking lot
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Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to stargaze in the US—maybe in the world! The reason it’s so dark is because the park is located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from any major cities, which create light pollution.
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4️⃣ Check out this Milky Way Finders Guide Stargazing Guide to Finding the Milky Way in Joshua Tree — Visit Joshua Tree
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👽Tag & Follow @visit_joshuatree for enlightenment
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