Is the Milky Way Visible from Nebraska? If so, where is the best place to view it, and also what would be the best time of night to see it? I know this is probably a very novice question, just trying to get a better understanding of what I can see. If it helps, I'm south of Omaha.
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1$\begingroup$ Just FYI, the simple answer is "ABSOLUTELY!" You couldn't be better positioned. Go somewhere really dark and enjoy. $\endgroup$– FattieDec 2, 2016 at 11:46
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2 Answers
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Well, because the axis of the rotation of the Earth is not the same as the axis of rotation of the disk of the Milky Way (and also because we're transforming a 2-dimensional spherical map into a 2-dimensional cartesian map), the path of the disk of the Milky Way galaxy looks something like this:
So, there is actually a wide range in declination that the Milky Way can be seen at. The range of declination you can see depends on your latitude (for a review of RA and declination, coordinates used in the celestial coordinate system, see this post). For example, here in Philadelphia (just about $+40^{\circ}$ declination), I'd be able to see from from $-50^{\circ}$ to $+90^{\circ}$ in declination. For Nebraska, find the latitude of your location. To calculate the lower limit, add your latitude (which will be positive since you're in the northern hemisphere) to $-90^{\circ}$ (mine was $+40^{\circ}$, so: $-90^{\circ} + 40^{\circ} = -50^{\circ}$). To find the upper limit in declination, it's even easier. Since you're in the northern hemisphere, you can actually see the north celestial pole. This means that the upper limit is simply the maximum it can possibly be, which is $+90^{\circ}$. The larger the latitude the more circumpolar your night sky gets.
The good news is that you should definitely be able to see it in Nebraska. The only question during what season will you see it at its best? Take a look at the constellations which contain parts of the Milky Way and find the season you can see it in - now you know where to look.
The last thing I want to add is that you need nice dark conditions. Local weather conditions or sources of light pollution may very easily hide the Milky Way. From Philadelphia, even on perfectly clear nights we have no chance of seeing it. If you've got a city on one of your horizons, try to plan around that - either go to a darker location or try looking opposite in the sky from any sources of light pollution.
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1$\begingroup$ Thank you, although some of this is over my head it very clearly explains what I was asking. I'm looking into buying my first telescope, and can't wait to look at the sky with it! $\endgroup$ Nov 3, 2013 at 1:15
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2$\begingroup$ Note that the Milky Way is a "naked eye" object, unless you're in a badly light-polluted area. You don't need a telescope to see the Milky Way itself, but you will need one to see the celestial goodies within it. If you haven't done so already, first go to a few local "star party" public observing sessions, to get a feel for various telescopes and how they're used. $\endgroup$ Mar 4, 2014 at 18:02
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You can absolutely see it in rural areas. I have a gorgeous view of it on clear nights, living thirty miles west of Lincoln.
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1$\begingroup$ Out west at Merrit Reservoir: THE NEBRASKA STAR PARTY July 12th THROUGH July 17, 2015 Lots of scopes, lots of amateur astronomers, lots of dark sky. $\endgroup$ Jun 23, 2015 at 12:10
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$\begingroup$ Does this Star Party have stuff available for those who don't own telescopes of their own? $\endgroup$ Jun 23, 2015 at 13:02
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$\begingroup$ Big camp out, everyone gets to look through everyone else's telescope and marvel at how much better a piece of sky looks through a 130 mm short focus apochromatic refractor than it does in a 8" Dobsonian with a spider. $\endgroup$ Jun 23, 2015 at 13:29