Best spots and tips for stargazing near Myrtle Beach and along the SC coast
Stargazing is a magnificent way to escape our daily grind, and luckily, there are plenty of stellar places in Horry County and along the coast of South Carolina to look up and observe the stars.
Here’s what to know, whether your a tourist or a local:
When is the best time to go stargazing in Horry County?
The autumn and winter months tend to be better for stargazing, according to camp.com. Steven Pfaff, the warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said that winter months tend to be better for viewing the sky because of a drier season.
“It’s generally areas of high pressure during the cooler season where it’s optimum,” Pfaff said.
But don’t let that stop you from getting out and enjoying the night sky during other times of the year. Try to catch the night sky during a New Moon, before the moon rises or after the moon sets. That’s when the skies are darkest throughout the year.
Does light pollution in Horry County impact stargazing?
While Horry County does not have any major urban cities, we do have light pollution, which can affect what you see in the night sky.
A light pollution map shows the immediate Myrtle Beach area has a class seven Bortle indicator, meaning the area is “brilliantly lit” and is difficult to view the central galaxy.
Christopher Taylor, a Myrtle Beach resident who’s been utilizing telescopes since the age of eight, said that viewing fainter objects such as more distant planets and constellations, is easier with no moon or light pollution. According to Taylor, there are places outside the city of Myrtle Beach that make for good options.
“(The light pollution) is as bad as every city, just on a smaller scale. The good thing about that is you don’t have to travel far outside of Myrtle Beach,” Taylor said.
Here’s a few more tips from Taylor:
- Don’t cheap out on a telescope. Get one that has a hybrid of a large focal lens and large aperture to get the best shots of brighter planets and stars that aren’t as close.
- Do research on what you want to see before you spend your money on a telescope. For example, for bright planets such as Saturn or Jupiter, a telescope with a large aperture is best. For deep sky views, like nebula, a large focal lens is better.
- Talk to others who are interested in stargazing! The Grand Strand Astronomers Club has almost 400 members on Facebook.
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So where should you go if you want to see the stars clearly? Here are three great spots.
1. Playcard Environment Education Center in Horry County
The Playcard Environment Education center, located off Highway 19 in Loris, is an Horry County learning center that offers hands-on learning experiences for schools as well as other members of the community. This center hosted a free public event for stargazing in 2022, and according to Taylor, is a great area for stargazing.
The areas surrounding the center show up in yellow on the light pollution map.
2. Huntington Beach State Park in Georgetown County
Huntington State Park, a Georgetown County park, is known for open space and undisturbed views. The park closes at 10 p.m., however, so it may be more ideal for stargazing in the winter months when it gets dark earlier.
The light pollution map shows this state park in the yellow, so it’s better what you might see in a more urban area.
Huntington Beach State Park has 173 campsites and over 300 species of birds.
3. Hampton State Historical Site in Charleston County
This one is farther away, but worth it for the views.
The Grand Strand Astronomers Club takes this hour long drive to the Hampton State Historical Site to view the sky every month. This Charleston County site is also known for deep history, late-Georgian architecture and scenery. The Hampton State Historical Site has about 274 acres and major trails to explore it’s history. On the light pollution map, this area shows up in blue, meaning it’s perfect for viewing stars, weather permitting.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 5:30 PM.