{"id":60466,"date":"2024-06-24T14:00:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T14:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/b8c107e1-0971-4961-af59-01a440bd12b8"},"modified":"2024-06-24T14:39:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T14:39:44","slug":"dark-sky-usa-avoid-light-pollution-and-explore-the-cosmos-in-these-us-national-parks-perfect-for-stargazing","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/dark-sky-usa-avoid-light-pollution-and-explore-the-cosmos-in-these-us-national-parks-perfect-for-stargazing\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark-sky USA! Avoid light pollution and explore the cosmos in these US National Parks perfect for stargazing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The USA is a great place for stargazing: particularly where its many National Parks are concerned. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 24 June 2024 at 14:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

If you’re going stargazing in the USA, American National Parks offer some of the darkest skies under which to get fantastic views of the cosmos.<\/p>

Whether you’re observing deep-sky objects with a telescope, or capturing the night sky with a spot of astrophotography, or observing naked-eye sights such as meteor showers and conjunctions, the darkness afforded by these expansive sites far from light pollution makes National Parks a great option.<\/p>

Here are 10 American National Parks \u2013 most but not all official Dark Sky Parks \u2013 that are free from urban light pollution, and which offer some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the world for stargazing.<\/p>

If you want to bring your telescope with you, you’ll need something compact and portable. Read our guide to the best travel telescopes for astronomy<\/a>.<\/p>

For more general advice, read our guide on how to stargaze<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. Credit: NPS\/Jacob W. Frank<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The first Dark Sky Park is a favourite of astrophotographers who like to image the Milky Way streaming through the famous Owachomo Bridge.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/nabr\/index.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Grand
Credit: NPS\/Miller<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Not to be confused with Grand Canyon National Park<\/a>, this Dark Sky Park is one of the most remote in the US. It spans 1.05 million acres, in the region north of the Colorado River.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/para\/learn\/nature\/lightscape.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Arches National Park, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Milky
Photo by Xavi Talleda\/VWPics\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Arches is another iconic location for astrophotographers \u2013 not to mention a designated Dark Sky Park where \u2018night-sky rangers\u2019 give regular talks and lead stargazing sessions. Head to the Delicate Arch viewpoint for a great panoramic.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/arch\/planyourvisit\/stargazing.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Canyonlands National Park, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park, Utah, at night. Credit: Doug Pensinger\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Designated in 2015, this Dark Sky Park in southeast Utah now has almost 100% night sky-friendly lighting. Island in the Sky is a great vantage point where a regular night-sky rangers programme in summer is followed by stargazing and telescope viewing.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/cany\/planyourvisit\/stargazing.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico<\/strong><\/h2>
\"The
Credit: Eric Lowenbach \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

This Dark Sky Park offers evening night-sky programmes that include constellations of the native Chacoan people, as well as telescope viewing at Chaco Observatory and two annual star parties. Drive three hours south and you can tour the Very Large Array facility.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/chcu\/planyourvisit\/nightsky.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Jupiter
Jupiter and Venus around the Ballerina Tree, Bryce Canyon \u00a9 Jamie Carter<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Utah has some of the best National Parks for stargazing in the USA, and Bryce Canyon is one of its most famous.<\/p>

Bryce has a long tradition of night-sky education, with 100 astronomy lectures per year held at the visitor centre, followed by guided telescope observing in the car park. A star party is held each June.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/thingstodo\/stargazing-at-bryce-canyon.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Cedar
Credit: Dwith Chenna \/ 500px \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

This stunning geologic amphitheatre hosts an award-winning summer star party at Point Supreme each Saturday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day (the last Monday in May and the first Monday in September). The 3,000m altitude really helps clarity. Stay in Brian Head or nearby Cedar City.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.nps.gov\/cebr\/planyourvisit\/experience-dark-night-skies.htm<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

The Headlands, Michigan<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Headlands
Credit: Diana Robinson Photography \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

This Dark Sky Park, an area of undeveloped land along Lake Michigan, is best visited in conjunction with nearby, car-less Mackinac Island. There\u2019s no camping here, but there is a dedicated dark sky viewing area on the shoreline.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.midarkskypark.org<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Milky
Milky Way at Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands, Moab, Utah, USA. Credit: Kristina Bills \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

An hour from Arches, Dead Horse Point offers fantastic views from above a gooseneck in the Colorado River.<\/p>

The campgrounds are excellent, and night-sky rangers also run a programme of stargazing talks and events.<\/p>

For more info, visit stateparks.utah.gov\/parks\/dead-horse\/night-sky<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania<\/strong><\/h2>
\"The
The Milky Way over Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania. Credit: Credit:demerzel21 \/ Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

One of the few Dark Sky Parks in the eastern US, but still one of the best National Parks for stargazing, Cherry Springs has its own night-sky viewing area located north of Route 44.<\/p>

Stargazing benches are provided, as well as a summer sky map backlit in red light. Two major star parties are hosted each year.<\/p>

For more info, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov\/StateParks\/FindAPark\/CherrySpringsStatePark\/Pages\/Stargazing.aspx<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

What are your favourite places to stargaze in the USA? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of <\/strong><\/em>BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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