The weather has been favorable this week to catch a glimpse of Comet Neowise, the 3.1 mile mile across the chunk of ice currently rushing on Earth. With clear skies and low humidity, all you need to do is grab your binoculars and find a dark spot. But if you live in a metropolitan area, it’s easier said than done.
Here are a few places outside of Minnesota’s largest cities to settle down and take a look at the heavenly wonder before it disappears.
Check light pollution in your area
While some have managed to spot the comet Neowise in the city and suburbs, its chances improve as it travels.
This light pollution map could be very useful in your search.
If you live in a metropolitan area, you may have to travel a considerable distance, as even the suburbs accumulate a lot of pollution.
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West subway: You may be able to see the kite in the Crystal Bay area, but for the best view, head west past Mound. You will find many rural roads and open fields this way, so just stop and look up.
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East metro: You’re almost in Wisconsin when you escape the lights on the east side, but Lake Elmo Park Reserve It is a dark oasis as long as you can find a place among all the trees.
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South metro: You’ll be driving for a while on Interstate 35 before the sky really opens up. But if you go down near Deer Lake, you will find the Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve and the area directly to the west to be fairly free of light pollution.
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North metro: People on the north side are also on a hike, with harsh lights almost all the way to Ham Lake. But if you go northwest on Rogers, you’ll find a nice pocket near the Elm Creek Park Reserve. If you are further east, set your course for Lino Lakes and the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. If you can go out on a boat, even better!
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RochesterResidents here will have to travel less far to get away from the city lights, but should avoid going directly west, as Byron is very bright, or to the south, with Rochester and Stewartville International Airport beyond that illuminating the area. But if you head northeast It will hit dark skies in no time.
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Duluth It’s a similar story for the northern city, with the airport, located in the northwest corner, which provides an additional obstacle. But a short excursion west from downtown Duluth to the city of Hermantown It should be an escape enough to take the Neowise flight. Otherwise, you must cross the St. Louis River to the south before getting a really dark sky.
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Fargo-Moorhead: Travel for 30 minutes in any direction and you will escape the circle of light pollution around these border cities. While you won’t find as many formal parks, as with the west subway, there are miles and miles of country lane to stop and point north.
Right moment
The best time to get out and look up will be an hour to 80 minutes after sunset. If enough light pollution escaped successfully and there are no clouds in your way, just look north-northwest and you should be able to see it with the naked eye. Binoculars or a telescope will give you the best view. Happy kite hunting!
