So there’s the meteor shower today evening which can be seen in Belgium and it’s predicted to be a clear night. I live in Antwerp and the light pollution here is insane. Does anyone know of any places near by (15-20 min drive) where there’s dark enough for a telescope night. Or just put down a blanket and stare at the meteor’s zipping by?

The only possible place I could find was this [link](https://www.natuurpunt.be/pagina/sterren-kijken#:~:text=Vallei%20van%20de%20Delfte%20Beek,%2C%20moerasbos%2C%20struwelen%20en%20rietruigte.), which has 1 option in Malle at 30 mins drive from Antwerp.

If any one has any other locations could you please share? Thanks! 🙂

14 comments

  5. 15-20 min away from Antwerp? Nowhere

    there is something called the Bortle scale. The lower the number the better. Almost all of Flanders scores above 6. If you want to go only 15-20 min away from Antwerp it will be around 8. this means you will see some of the brightest objects in the sky but not much. Want to see the milky way? you need 5 or below.

    ​

    this interactive map give’s you a good overview where you can go:

    https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=6.65&lat=50.8272&lon=4.7659&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

  10. I guess Holland would be a logical choice, if you want anything slightly better.

    There is a website called ” lichthinderkaart”, but I’m not really sure if it’s recent, or more up to date than website [lightpollutionmap.info](https://lightpollutionmap.info).

    Anyway, you can always check it out: [https://www.lichthinderkaart.vvs.be/lichthinderkaart.html](https://www.lichthinderkaart.vvs.be/lichthinderkaart.html)

    Edit: A friend of mine told me in the past, that the best location -without going crazy far- is Vlieland. The only thing is: getting there. It’s an Island, belonging to The Netherlands. And unless I’m mistaking, no cars permited.

    Checking the light pollution map ( [lichthinderkaart.vvs.be](https://lichthinderkaart.vvs.be) ), pretty much confirms what my friend says. It’s in the light blue and dark blue zone, rated : very good – extremely good.

    You can also go to Texel, also an Island, slightly below Vlieland, but there are cars permited. Still need to get on a boat to get there.

    But the ratings are not as good as Vlieland: decent – excellent.

  11. There is a reasonable spot near Antwerp in Wissenkerke. The people at Urania should be able to point you there.

  14. We live next to the Kesselse Heide and it has some mixed results. Others have pointed out some good ones it seems.

    If you ever get the chance: Death Valley in California. Most insane thing I’ve ever seen at night.

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