Hacker News Reader

Comment by quesera | Hacker News Reader

I agree with your larger premise, but:

> Can you see the Milkyway? No, not really

This is not my experience. I have seen the Milky Way very clearly from a few locations in the US. None are particularly remote -- all are just a few hours drive from the large cities I've lived in. Winter months are clearer than summer.

View on HN

> I have seen the Milky Way very clearly from a few locations in the US.

I agree. heck, I remember stargazing in rural New Mexico in the 70's, the moonless night sky was luminous to the dark-adapted eye. The Milky Way was a river of stars, bright enough to read by (well, distinguish the words on the page, I don't remember spending much time reading...)

Completely agree, I've seen the Milky Way just by traveling to a city called Eskilstuna, some 200km away from Stockholm, in the middle of the forest and away from settlements you could see the Milky Way much brighter than just a faint streak of light.

Yeah I agree. Not only have I seen the milky way, but I've seen andromeda with my naked eye from the right place on the right night, within a day's drive from very populated cities.

+1. I’ve not seen it for 10 years (since I’ve lived in the United States) but growing up in New Zealand, looking up at the Milky Way with your naked eye, it’s definitely clear the increased density of stars. Doesn’t look anything like photos, but very beautiful.

Where I grew up in rural Wisconsin I could see it at night laying out on our front lawn. Not super bright, but you could definitely tell it was there.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com