Meghan Hodges
Light pollution is a pressing issue that has attracted the attention of stargazers, photographers, and astronomy enthusiasts alike. With artificial light drowning out the night sky, finding places with minimal light pollution has become a challenge. To address this, several resources are available, such as light pollution maps and dark site finders, which help individuals locate areas with darker skies nearby. These tools provide valuable information, enabling people to plan trips, find astronomical events, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. Whether it's witnessing a meteor shower, observing the northern lights, or simply indulging in stargazing, these resources offer a chance to escape the artificial skyglow and connect with the universe.
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What You'll Learn
Use a light pollution map
To find areas with no light pollution near you, you can use a light pollution map. These maps can help stargazers find suitable observation locations and provide basic astronomical guidance. Some maps, such as the one on lightpollutionmap.app, use your IP address to determine your approximate location and display the Bortle class for that area. You can also manually explore the map to find optimal stargazing spots in other regions. The website also plans to add features such as Milky Way rise times and directions to support astrophotographers.
Another light pollution map is available on darksitefinder.com, which allows you to select different years (2006, 2016, 2020, and 2022) to compare light pollution trends over time. This map also includes markers for dark sites, which can be useful for finding the best places for stargazing.
In addition to these online maps, there are also mobile apps that can help you find areas with minimal light pollution. For example, the Astrospheric app includes a light pollution overlay that can help you plan your stargazing trips.
By using these light pollution maps and apps, you can easily identify areas near you that have minimal light pollution and are ideal for stargazing or astrophotography.
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Find a Dark Sky Place
The night sky and nocturnal environment are naturally, culturally, and historically important resources worthy of conservation. The International Astronomical Union recommends that “national and local governments should establish a suitable number of ‘Dark Sky Oases’ and protect them from excessive artificial light at night”.
The Dark Sky Places program certifies a range of places within the dark-to-very-dark gradient, from national parks, observatories, and lands managed by non-governmental organizations, to villages and cities. Dark Sky International has certified more than 200 places since Flagstaff, Arizona, was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001. 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 U.S.
- The community of Bee Cave, Texas, which requires developments to comply with the 5 Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.
- The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative lands, consisting of over 400 square kilometers of land in central Maine.
- Big Cypress National Preserve, a 290,000-hectare IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) site in the U.S.
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserves in Saudi Arabia.
To find a Dark Sky Place near you, you can refer to online resources such as Dark Sky International's website or Dark Site Finder, which provides a light pollution map to help you locate dark skies in your area.
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Check out Dark Site Finder
If you're looking for places with minimal light pollution, Dark Site Finder is a great resource. This website was created by someone who grew up under the widespread light pollution of Southern California and Chicagoland and understands the struggle of finding dark, starry skies.
The main feature of Dark Site Finder is its light pollution map, which has been recently updated with data from 2022. The map will help you escape the artificial skyglow and find dark skies near you. Additionally, the website provides a dark sites listing, which can be useful for finding spots that are safe, open all night, with clear horizons, and no streetlights nearby. The website also features blog posts about stargazing, photography, and astronomical events, so you can stay informed about the latest happenings in the world of astronomy.
To stay up-to-date, you can subscribe to the Dark Site Finder newsletter, which will notify you about upcoming astronomical events, newly discovered dark sites, and other updates. This way, you can plan your stargazing trips and take advantage of clear, dark skies.
Dark Site Finder is not the only resource available for finding dark skies. Dark Sky International is another organization dedicated to finding and protecting dark sky places. They offer monthly memberships for those who want to support their initiatives and offer exclusive merchandise for starry sky enthusiasts. Dark Sky International works with partners worldwide, including universities, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses, to certify and conserve starry sky parks and communities. They also provide guidance on choosing better outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution.
Whether you use Dark Site Finder, Dark Sky International, or other resources, finding places with minimal light pollution can lead you to incredible experiences. A night under thousands of stars can inspire awe and gratitude, providing a new perspective on life. So, whether you're using a camera, a telescope, or just your naked eye, exploring dark skies is always worth the effort.
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Look for Dark Sky Communities
Light pollution is a growing problem, but there are still some places where you can find dark skies and communities that are actively working to preserve them.
International Dark Sky Communities are legally organized cities and towns that have adopted quality outdoor lighting ordinances and are undertaking efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies. These communities are recognized by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) for their exceptional preservation of the night sky through effective lighting regulations, public outreach, and citizen support.
- The Towns of Norwood and Nucla/Naturita in San Miguel County, Colorado, have been designated as Dark Sky Communities by the IDA. These towns have implemented lighting regulations and public outreach to preserve the night sky.
- Arizona Sky Village in Portal, Arizona, is mentioned as a great place to view the night sky, although it may not meet healthcare criteria.
- Fountain Hills, Arizona, has the "Dark Sky" designation and offers great viewing opportunities, although the surrounding areas, including Phoenix, are experiencing increasing light pollution.
- Astronomy Village in Chiefland, Florida, is mentioned as a place with fairly cheap land and dark skies.
You can also explore Dark Sky Developments of Distinction, which recognize subdivisions, planned communities, and unincorporated areas that actively promote a more natural night sky. While this designation was retired in 2020, there are still places that were previously recognized, such as the Kaibab Indian Reservation, designated as a "Dark Sky Nation".
To find Dark Sky Communities near you, you can utilize online resources such as light pollution maps and dark site finders. These tools can help you locate specific areas with minimal light pollution and provide information about stargazing locations and events. Examples of such resources include Dark Site Finder, which offers a light pollution map, and Astrospheric, which provides a light pollution overlay to help you plan your stargazing trips.
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Find a Dark Site listing
To find a dark site listing, you can refer to the following websites:
Dark Site Finder
Dark Site Finder is a website that provides a light pollution map to help users find dark, starry skies near them. The website also features blog posts about stargazing, photography, and astronomical events. Users can subscribe to the Dark Site Finder newsletter to receive updates on new dark sites, upcoming astronomical events, and other relevant information.
Dark Sky Place Finder | DarkSky International
DarkSky International is a nonprofit organisation that has become the world's leading authority on light pollution over the last 30 years. They partner with universities, community groups, businesses, and more to certify and conserve starry sky parks, communities, and other places worldwide. DarkSky International also offers monthly memberships for those who want to support their initiatives.
Astrospheric
Astrospheric is a website that provides a light pollution map with a light bulb icon that shows a light pollution overlay for different locations. This map can be useful for planning trips to areas with less light pollution and better stargazing opportunities.
In addition to using these online resources, you can also consider the following locations that are known for their dark skies and stargazing potential:
- Death Valley, California: There are lots of dark places in and around Death Valley, making it ideal for stargazing.
- Utah: The centre of Utah, specifically somewhere west of Green River, is known for its dark skies.
- Colorado: While light pollution has increased in Colorado, there are still some remote areas with minimal light pollution, such as the mountains.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find places with no light pollution near you by using a light pollution map, such as the one on Dark Site Finder or Astrospheric. These maps will help you locate dark skies and escape artificial skyglow.
While light pollution maps can help you find dark sites, it's important to note that finding a spot that is both safe and easily accessible can be challenging. Dark Site Finder offers a dark sites listing to help you know what to expect before travelling somewhere remote for stargazing.
Yes, Dark Sky International's International Dark Sky Places program certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that are dedicated to preserving and protecting dark sites. They also certify lighting products, designs, and installations that help reduce light pollution.
