“Being an amateur astronomer, I need to get out in the country under dark skies if I want to see more than planets and bright stars.”
Where I am in WA State, you’d never think to be overly cautious of the smaller coyotes we have here. The cougars, yes.
We have coyotes here, too. There have been random, but rare sightings of mountain lions, and even a black bear sighting, a few years ago. I think I’m more concerned about the two-legged animals a little more. I would rather go star gazing with at least one other person, but preferably a group. More fun that way.