Helena Joyce
Light pollution is a growing problem, but there are still places in the world where the night sky can be seen in all its glory. Dark Sky International, a nonprofit organisation based in Arizona, has been working to combat light pollution for over 30 years. They certify communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. As of 2023, they have certified more than 200 places, including Saguaro National Park in Arizona, the first International Dark Sky City, designated in 2001. Other places to view the night sky include national parks in Utah, Texas, Nevada, Kentucky, and Minnesota, as well as rural Tanzania and Colorado.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organisation | DarkSky International |
| Goal | To reduce light pollution |
| Methods | Certifying lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution; partnering with universities, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses; establishing codes and statutes that reduce light pollution; educating the public about the harm excessive artificial light can cause |
| Achievements | Over 200 places certified since 2001; more than 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents |
| Examples of Dark Sky Places | Flagstaff, Arizona; Saguaro National Park, Arizona; Timpanogos Cave National Monument; Zion National Park; Arches National Park, Utah; Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah; Canyonlands National Park, Utah; Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina; Great Basin National Park, Nevada; Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky; Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota; Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado; Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida; Joshua Tree National Park, California; Saguaro National Park, Arizona |
| Communities | Bee Cave, Texas; Beverly Shores, Indiana; Bisbee, Arizona |
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What You'll Learn
National parks with dark skies
Light pollution is a growing concern, with artificial light known to harm humans, wildlife, and the climate. However, there are still places in the world with minimal light pollution, where one can enjoy the night sky in all its glory.
DarkSky International, the world's leading authority on light pollution, has certified over 200 places as International Dark Sky Places. These include communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
- Saguaro National Park, Arizona: This park earned certification as an Urban Night Sky Place in 2023, one of only nine such places in the world. The Milky Way is visible over the namesake cacti, and the planning and design of the park promote an authentic nighttime experience.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah: This is the only other National Park Service unit with the Urban Night Sky Place distinction besides Saguaro National Park.
- Arches National Park, Utah: One of Utah's "Mighty 5" National Parks, located north of Moab, which is an International Dark Sky Community.
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: This sprawling reserve in southern Utah is known for its crimson-colored "hoodoos," or spire-shaped rock formations.
- Big Bend National Park, Texas: This park offers night sky interpretive programs and is located in the Chihuahuan Desert.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: Awarded Dark Sky Park status in 2019, its 100th anniversary, after retrofitting more than 5,000 light fixtures.
- Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand: Comprised of Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, this reserve boasts stunning night skies.
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada/USA: Spanning the international border between Canada and the USA, this park includes Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park in the USA.
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada: The Milky Way stretches across the night sky in this park, providing a breathtaking view.
These are just a few examples of the many national parks around the world that have been recognized for their dark skies and stellar night sky viewing opportunities. These parks offer a chance to escape light pollution and connect with the cosmos, providing a truly magical experience.
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Stargazing spots
National Parks
National Parks are some of the best places to stargaze as they are protected from light pollution. Dozens of national parks have been designated as International Dark Sky Parks and Sanctuaries. These parks offer astronomy programs and stargazing spots. Some of the best include:
- Arches National Park, Utah: See the Milky Way from Delicate Arch.
- Big Bend National Park, Texas: The Milky Way can be seen over the Chisos Basin here.
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada: This park offers stunning views of the Milky Way.
- Zion National Park, Utah: See the stars over the Temples and Towers of the Virgin, some of the park's distinctive rock formations.
- Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota: This park offers views of the Northern Lights.
- Saguaro National Park, Arizona: Certified as an Urban Night Sky Place, one of only nine in the world.
Dark Sky Places
Dark Sky International has certified over 200 communities, parks, and protected areas around the world as Dark Sky Places. These places have responsible lighting policies and public education to preserve dark sites. Some examples include:
- Flagstaff, Arizona: The first International Dark Sky City, named in 2001.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah: Designated as an Urban Dark Sky Place in 2020.
- Tumacácori National Historical Park, Arizona: See the Tumacácori mission by starlight.
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Volunteers host stargazing nights here.
- Bee Cave, Texas: This community requires compliance with the 5 Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.
Other Spots
There are also other spots around the world that are known for their dark skies and stargazing opportunities, such as:
- Colorado: There are mountains with no light pollution in Colorado, offering great stargazing.
- Rural Tanzania: One person described seeing more stars here on a moonless night than they had ever seen before.
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Light pollution's impact on humans, wildlife, and climate
While it is challenging to find a place with no light pollution, some locations offer better opportunities for stargazing and experiencing natural darkness. These include rural areas in Colorado, Tanzania, and Arizona, which has been recognized for its efforts to reduce light pollution.
Now, let's delve into the impacts of light pollution on humans, wildlife, and the climate:
Impact on Humans
Light pollution can affect human health in several ways. Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts natural light cycles, threatening the natural rhythms that regulate human activities, including sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. This disruption can impact mental health and has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer and metabolic issues.
Impact on Wildlife
Light pollution has detrimental effects on wildlife, disrupting their natural behaviors and ecosystems. Nocturnal animals, such as predators and prey, are particularly affected. Artificial light can disorient animals, exposing them to dangers such as predators, exhaustion, and starvation. It can also impact breeding rituals, reducing populations of certain species. Migratory birds are affected by artificial light, disrupting their seasonal schedules and nesting behaviors. Insects are drawn to artificial lights, leading to fatal attractions and declining populations, which negatively impact species that rely on them for food or pollination.
Impact on Climate
Light pollution contributes to energy consumption and waste. The excessive use of artificial lighting increases energy demand, leading to higher carbon emissions and contributing to climate change. Additionally, light pollution can disrupt the natural cycles of plants, affecting their growth and reproductive patterns, which can have broader ecological implications.
Overall, light pollution has far-reaching consequences for humans, wildlife, and the planet. It disrupts natural cycles, endangers species, and impacts ecosystems, highlighting the importance of initiatives like DarkSky International to reduce light pollution and promote responsible lighting practices.
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Communities fighting light pollution
Light pollution is a growing environmental crisis that harms wildlife, human health, and the climate. It disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, wastes money and energy, contributes to climate change, and blocks our view of the universe. The good news is that communities around the world are taking action to combat light pollution and protect dark skies.
One notable example is the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition in Arizona, which is dedicated to "celebrating, promoting, and protecting night skies." Through conversation and engagement with officials and the public, the organization has helped establish responsible lighting codes and policies that reduce light pollution. Flagstaff, Arizona, was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001 by DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the nighttime environment and communities from light pollution. DarkSky International offers monthly memberships called Nighthawk to support their initiatives and offers exclusive merchandise to show support for starry skies.
Another community-led effort is the collaboration between the Tucson Audubon Society and the Sky Island Alliance in Arizona. These organizations have organized town halls and community meetings to address light pollution and its impact on the unique "sky island" ecosystem around Whipple Observatory. They are also launching a light-pollution-monitoring project to study the effects of light pollution on the local glow worm population.
In addition to local initiatives, there are international programs such as the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program, which certifies communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. More than 200 places have been certified by the IDSP since 2001, ensuring that communities around the world can enjoy the wonders of starry skies.
Simple actions such as switching to warm-colored LED bulbs, shielding light sources to minimize glare, and turning off unnecessary indoor lighting can make a significant impact in reducing light pollution. By working together and advocating for responsible lighting practices and policies, communities can make a difference in the fight against light pollution and protect the night skies for future generations.
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Dark Sky Places
Light pollution is a growing problem, and truly dark skies are harder to find than ever. However, there are still places where one can experience a starry night sky.
The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program was created to incentivize communities and protected places to implement better lighting through effective public policy. The program certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. Dark Sky Places also help to conserve ecologically sensitive areas and protect our universal heritage in the starry night sky.
There are now over 160,000 square kilometers of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents, and the list grows every year as new places achieve certification. Some examples of Dark Sky Places include:
- The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the US
- Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas
- Aenos National Park in Greece
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserves in Saudi Arabia
- The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative lands in the US
These places provide a quality nighttime experience that allows people to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of a sky full of stars.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many places around the world with minimal light pollution. Some places in the United States include Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Nevada, and Kentucky. Outside of the US, you can visit rural Tanzania. DarkSky International also has a list of over 200 places with minimal light pollution.
DarkSky International is the world's leading authority on light pollution. They work with universities, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses to certify and conserve starry sky parks, communities, and other places. They also certify lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution.
Some examples of certified places include the community of Bee Cave, Texas, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Saguaro National Park, and Flagstaff, Arizona.
Some ways to reduce light pollution include using responsible outdoor lighting, supporting organizations like DarkSky International, and advocating for the establishment of lawful requirements for outdoor lighting.
