Myrtle Beach Stargazing in Winter

There’s something about spending peaceful winter months in Myrtle Beach that’s conducive to slowing down. We find ourselves lingering as we walk on the Boardwalk, bundled up against the chill. And we love sitting beside a window with a cup of coffee in the morning, staring out the waves. Sometimes, we even head out to look at the stars in the night sky.

If you’re interested in stargazing when you visit this winter, the first thing you should do is head away from ambient light. That means stepping away from the Skywheel, and maybe even taking a drive to get away from the glitz and glamour of Myrtle Beach.

In early October, you’ll still find many of the summer stars lingering in the sky, including many of the constellations of the Milky Way. But as fall moves into winter, Orion will begin to dominate the eastern sky.

If you’re wondering what will be in the night sky while you’re here, there are several excellent resources that will help you find amazing constellations, nebulae and even  visible planets. We love the monthly stargazing guides published in the astronomy section of the Farmer’s Almanac website. You’ll get tips on meteor showers, eclipses and appearances of planets.

And if you’re looking for more serious stargazing, the kind that’s often accompanied by a telescope, try Space.com. The website’s list of the best stargazing events of 2013 gives great instructions for spotting evening views of Mercury and Jupiter, stunning meteor showers, a Thanksgiving comet and a stunning Venus all through the month of December.

Are you a stargazer? What are your favorite spots in Myrtle Beach for watching the night sky?

Posted 10/8/13