posted on Jun, 27 2007 @ 05:51 PM
I’m sure there is a few people here that could give me a bit of advice…
In mid-August my boyfriend and I intend to drive to the Mojave in Nevada. I want to escape the light pollution and hope to take advantage of the
scarce population, high altitude, and the new moon to capture some great astrophotography with the telescope. I want to especially take advantage of
the location and see for myself the mystery behind the Groom Lake facility.
I’ve done my research and figured out the locations of the front and back gates, the view from Tikaboo peak (we intend to camp there one night), and
the overlook from an area known as “powerline outlook.”
Other than those locations there isn’t anything on the net. I don’t intend to sprint across the boundary line, but I don’t want to just stop at
the front gate, nod, say, “okay,” and turn around. I want to at least try to get as close as possible, and if not for trying to get a glimpse of
something (that I know I probably won’t) then for the hell of it knowing I’m probably already being watched. I want to make the cammo dudes earn
that night’s paycheck at least.
Basically, what I’m asking… The entire area of the Nevada Test Site is restricted land and air space. I’m wondering about the non-road
approaches to the boundary line. There’s a lot of land around Area 51 and yet only two roads (as far as I can tell) lead to the Groom Lake
facility. Assuming I drove (and assuming I found an accessible route) on public land (from my understanding of Nevada Law I would be not violating
the law) up to the boundary.. basically just went 4x4ing off the road say somewhere between the “black” mailbox and Coyote Summit. Is the
boundary firmly marked every so meters with the signs? …or at these locations are they simply motion sensors, camera, etc… Would I even be able
to know the boundary without a GPS?
Also, would anyone have any recommendations for any areas near the NTS where it would possibly be the darkest… basically the absolute best spot to
view the night sky… Does anyone know how much light pollution there is around Area 51? Is the base for the most part dark at night minus landing
lights, or is it heavily lit?
Thanks.