Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The New Pandemic Hobby: Gazing at the Stars
The Aurora Borealis in Pennsylvania? These Dark Sky Parks offer up the best possible star-gazing experiences in the continental U.S.
Link to tweet
LIFE & ARTS TRAVEL OFF DUTY TRAVEL
The New Pandemic Hobby: Gazing at the Stars
‘Dark Sky’ parks around the U.S. offer superior stargazing experiences, whether you decide to visit them in the flesh or not
By Adam H. Graham
Aug. 15, 2020 12:00 am ET
IT’S TOO HOT to bake yet another peach pie and too late in the season to start a victory garden, but it is a prime time to ponder the night sky. More than 60 places around the country have been designated as exemplary stargazing sites by the International Dark-Sky Association, which is not, as the name suggests, the bureaucratic arm of the League of Villains, but a conservation organization devoted to reducing light pollution. Not only do these Dark Sky sites provide a high-def upgrade to backyard stargazing, but, since they’re often in fairly remote locales, they’re also conducive to social distancing. For those who’d rather stay in their own orbit, several Dark Sky sites offer up a hefty menu of virtual astronomy programs.
Like many conservation movements, the notion of preserving night skies took off in the 1970s, fueled by amateur astronomers concerned about excessive urban light. In 1988, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) was incorporated in Tucson, Ariz., by founders David Crawford, a professional astronomer. and Tim Hunter, a physician/amateur astronomer. IDA now represents 145 destinations in 21 countries.
Five types of Dark Sky designations exist, each with its own set of criteria: International Dark Sky Communities, Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries and Urban Night Sky Places. You can find the sites in every corner of the country, so you needn’t drive far to access one. DIY activities like firefly spotting and moonrise picnics appeal to both amateur astronomers and romantics in search of a little cosmic recreation. But the sites also offer Coronavirus-era activities for family and friend bubbles seeking starry solitude.
Here, a sampling of five Dark Sky sites in the U.S.; you can check IDA’s map at darksky.org to find the places closest to you.
{snip}
Pennsylvania’s Space Station
The Milky Way is so bright at Cherry Springs State Park (pictured below), in north central Pennsylvania, that rangers say it casts a shadow. The park—about a five-hour drive from the city glows of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia—is considered to have the darkest skies in the east. According to IDA, those skies typically turn out 60 to 85 clear nights a year, which makes for crystal-clear ogling of constellations and galaxies like Andromeda. From September to March, you might catch a peek at the Aurora Borealis. North Star Outdoor Guides offer private tours to help you spot meteor showers (wildasaphoutfitters.com). Or you can opt for a nightscape photo workshop (pbase.com/cwphoto). Serious astronomers will appreciate the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, which prohibits campfires and all forms of white light, but there’s another campsite with picnic tables and fire pits. Stuck at home? Starting Aug. 21, the park’s website will post night-sky walking tours.
{snip}
The New Pandemic Hobby: Gazing at the Stars
‘Dark Sky’ parks around the U.S. offer superior stargazing experiences, whether you decide to visit them in the flesh or not
By Adam H. Graham
Aug. 15, 2020 12:00 am ET
IT’S TOO HOT to bake yet another peach pie and too late in the season to start a victory garden, but it is a prime time to ponder the night sky. More than 60 places around the country have been designated as exemplary stargazing sites by the International Dark-Sky Association, which is not, as the name suggests, the bureaucratic arm of the League of Villains, but a conservation organization devoted to reducing light pollution. Not only do these Dark Sky sites provide a high-def upgrade to backyard stargazing, but, since they’re often in fairly remote locales, they’re also conducive to social distancing. For those who’d rather stay in their own orbit, several Dark Sky sites offer up a hefty menu of virtual astronomy programs.
Like many conservation movements, the notion of preserving night skies took off in the 1970s, fueled by amateur astronomers concerned about excessive urban light. In 1988, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) was incorporated in Tucson, Ariz., by founders David Crawford, a professional astronomer. and Tim Hunter, a physician/amateur astronomer. IDA now represents 145 destinations in 21 countries.
Five types of Dark Sky designations exist, each with its own set of criteria: International Dark Sky Communities, Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries and Urban Night Sky Places. You can find the sites in every corner of the country, so you needn’t drive far to access one. DIY activities like firefly spotting and moonrise picnics appeal to both amateur astronomers and romantics in search of a little cosmic recreation. But the sites also offer Coronavirus-era activities for family and friend bubbles seeking starry solitude.
Here, a sampling of five Dark Sky sites in the U.S.; you can check IDA’s map at darksky.org to find the places closest to you.
{snip}
Pennsylvania’s Space Station
The Milky Way is so bright at Cherry Springs State Park (pictured below), in north central Pennsylvania, that rangers say it casts a shadow. The park—about a five-hour drive from the city glows of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia—is considered to have the darkest skies in the east. According to IDA, those skies typically turn out 60 to 85 clear nights a year, which makes for crystal-clear ogling of constellations and galaxies like Andromeda. From September to March, you might catch a peek at the Aurora Borealis. North Star Outdoor Guides offer private tours to help you spot meteor showers (wildasaphoutfitters.com). Or you can opt for a nightscape photo workshop (pbase.com/cwphoto). Serious astronomers will appreciate the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, which prohibits campfires and all forms of white light, but there’s another campsite with picnic tables and fire pits. Stuck at home? Starting Aug. 21, the park’s website will post night-sky walking tours.
{snip}
