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Stargazing is a popular hobby for many, but light pollution in cities and towns can make it difficult. The Bortle scale is a method of measuring light pollution, with Class 1 being the least light-polluted and Class 9 being the most. While no city is ideal for stargazing due to light pollution, some places offer better stargazing opportunities than others. For example, Pickett State Park in Tennessee, the Adirondacks, north-central Pennsylvania, and parts of Maine are known for their darker skies. In the West, states like Alaska, California, and Oregon have some of the darkest skies in the country, with sites like Death Valley National Park providing pristine views of the cosmos. Additionally, Arizona's Phoenix ranks as the number one city in the US for stargazing due to its high elevation and many astronomy groups, despite being light-polluted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with least light pollution | Alaska |
| City with least light pollution | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Dark Sky Sanctuaries | Beaver Island, Lake Michigan; Village of Oak Creek, Arizona; Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania; Canyonlands National Park, Utah; Death Valley National Park, California; Great Basin National Park, Nevada; Big Bend National Park, Texas; Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona |
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What You'll Learn
National parks with dark skies
National parks are often found in some of the most remote areas of the United States, protecting them from light pollution and preserving the quality of the night sky. Here are some of the best national parks with dark skies:
Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley National Park is the largest Dark Sky designated area, spanning 13,700 square kilometres. The park is known for its extreme landscapes and high temperatures. The combination of high elevation and dry desert air means clear, cloudless night skies perfect for stargazing. The park's salt flats are wonderful viewing locations for the night skies.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park is located in the Colorado Plateau, a region that boasts some of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous 48 United States. On a clear, moonless night, visitors can witness a wealth of stars with the naked eye. Under the right conditions, common binoculars may even reveal the rings of Saturn.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park encompasses more than 77,000 acres of stunning wilderness, including a cave system, alpine lakes, pinyon-juniper forests, and high-altitude peaks. On a clear, moonless night, visitors can see thousands of stars, numerous planets, star clusters, meteors, man-made satellites, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park earned Urban Night Sky Place certification in 2023. The park is known for its namesake cacti, with the Milky Way visible above them. The park's planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of artificial light.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park is a Dark Sky Park that offers night sky interpretive programs. The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and can be very hot or cold, so dress appropriately. For the best star viewing, visit during a new moon phase when the moon is below the horizon.
Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia
Stephen C. Foster State Park is located about an hour's drive from Valdosta, Georgia. With few nearby cities and little on-property lighting, there is not a lot of light pollution obstructing the view of the night sky.
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Alaska's pristine skies
Alaska is one of the few places in the United States where you can still see a "pristine" night sky. The city and borough of Yakutat in Alaska is America's darkest place, with more than 200,000 times less artificial brightness than the most light-polluted region, the District of Columbia. Most of Alaska's skies remain unspoiled, and the state offers some of the best opportunities for stargazing in the country.
The natural darkness of Alaska's night skies can be attributed to its low population density and vast, remote wilderness areas. The state's northern location and long winter nights also contribute to its lack of light pollution. Alaska's diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, and coastal areas, provide a range of environments from which to view the night sky.
The lack of light pollution in Alaska has several benefits for both people and wildlife. The natural darkness can enhance sleep quality by allowing the body to maintain its natural circadian rhythms and melatonin production. For wildlife, it can reduce confusion and disorientation, which can be caused by artificial lighting. Sea turtles, for example, rely on the moon and stars to navigate towards the open sea after hatching, and artificial light can lure them in the wrong direction.
For stargazers, Alaska's pristine skies offer a unique opportunity to witness the Milky Way, planets, meteors, and more. The state's clear, cloudless nights and high elevation in some areas further enhance the viewing experience. Alaska's remote locations and dark skies can be accessed through various means, including ferries, planes, and scenic drives.
In addition to stargazing, Alaska's dark skies provide the perfect backdrop for viewing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. This natural light display is a result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere, and the state's northern location makes it an ideal place to witness this phenomenon.
Alaska's commitment to preserving its pristine skies is evident, and its remote locations offer a sanctuary for those seeking to escape light pollution and reconnect with the natural darkness of the night.
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Light pollution reduction strategies
Light pollution is a growing concern that negatively impacts the environment, wildlife habitats, and human quality of life. The good news is that there are several strategies that can be implemented to reduce light pollution and mitigate its harmful effects.
One effective strategy is to utilize dark sky parks and sanctuaries. Organizations like DarkSky International certify and protect areas with minimal light pollution, allowing people to experience the night sky in its full glory. These areas, often located in remote regions, offer incredible stargazing opportunities and help raise awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies. Examples include Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania, Death Valley National Park in California, and Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.
Another strategy is to adopt responsible lighting practices in our daily lives. This includes using warm-colored LED bulbs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) to reduce energy consumption and light trespass. Dimmers, motion sensors, and timers can also help lower illumination levels and save energy. Additionally, outdoor lighting fixtures with shielded light sources can minimize glare and reduce light pollution.
Education and advocacy play a crucial role in light pollution reduction. Organizations like DarkSky work with communities to establish codes and statutes that minimize light pollution. They inform the public about the harmful effects of excessive artificial light on humans, wildlife, and the climate. By joining their initiatives and supporting their advocacy, individuals can make a positive impact in their local areas.
Finally, supporting businesses and products that prioritize dark sky preservation is essential. DarkSky International, for instance, certifies lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution. By choosing such certified options, consumers can contribute to the reduction of light pollution and encourage more businesses to adopt sustainable lighting practices.
By implementing these strategies and raising awareness about the importance of dark skies, we can collectively work towards reducing light pollution and preserving the natural beauty of the night sky for future generations.
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Towns with dark skies
The world has more than 200 certified International Dark Sky Places, which are communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. Here are some towns with dark skies:
Torrey, Utah
The people of Torrey took a cue from the nearby Capitol Reef National Park, a designated International Dark Sky Park, and made a stand against the harsh artificial light polluting the area's skies. The result is a community with outdoor lighting rules that ensure stellar nighttime views both in town and in the neighbouring park.
Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp Verde is a town with a diverse cultural heritage that goes back 10,000 years. The town’s clear night skies are found about an hour from the cities of Phoenix, Prescott, and Flagstaff (a dark sky community itself), and just 30 minutes from the neighbouring dark sky communities of Village of Oak Creek and Cottonwood.
Helper, Utah
The small and wonderfully dark town of Helper is located a couple of hours south of Salt Lake City, near the Wasatch Plateau. The town has a rich mining and railroading history and a legend that involves transporting illegal goods through tunnels during Prohibition.
Lakewood Village, Texas
Lakewood Village is a fully residential town of around 900 people north of Dallas and Fort Worth. The lack of commercial businesses in the town keeps the night skies dark, and its location on Lake Lewisville only makes the stargazing that much more magical.
Homer Glen, Illinois
Homer Glen is a young town founded in 2001 with a vision of conservation and sustainable growth. It is impressively dark, considering its proximity to Chicago (30 miles southwest).
Fredericksburg, Texas
Located in Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg was founded by German immigrants and retains much of that Germanic history and culture today. During the day, visitors can explore the town's German heritage and, at night, they can enjoy the dark skies above.
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Northeast dark skies
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is one of the most scenic locations along the Eastern Seaboard and a premier stargazing spot in New England. The Acadia Night Sky Festival is held annually in September, featuring ranger-led programs throughout the summer months.
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Surrounded by the 265,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest, Cherry Springs State Park is a 5-hour drive from Manhattan and a 7-hour drive from Boston. The park offers year-round staff-led night sky tours, providing a great introduction to stargazing for those short on time.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
The night sky over New Hampshire's White Mountains can be breathtaking. The Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Center offers free astronomy programs for visitors to learn more about the sky above.
Adirondack Mountains, New York
The Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York offer dark skies and are one of the closest locations to New York City to see the Milky Way.
Other Locations
Other locations in the Northeast with dark skies include parts of northern central Pennsylvania and areas in Maine.
Dark Sky Parks
Dark Sky Parks are certified by the International Dark-Sky Association and offer incredible opportunities to spot meteors, see stars, and observe constellations. There are over 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents.
Dark Sky International is a nonprofit organisation that works to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution. They offer memberships, news, events, and volunteer opportunities to support dark sky conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
The city and borough of Yakutat in Alaska have been found to be the darkest place in America, with very little light pollution. Most of Alaska and parts of Hawaii also have unspoiled skies.
Pickett State Park in Tennessee, Death Valley National Park in California, and Prineville Reservoir State Park are all known for their dark skies.
Light pollution is the presence of artificial light in the natural environment. It can be caused by streetlights, brightly lit commercial signs, or powerful LED lights. Light pollution can have negative effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment.
