Earth and Space News: International Dark-Sky Association U.S. International Dark Sky Parks

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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Star-Filled Four Corners States Claim 16 International Dark Sky Parks

Summary: The star-filled Four Corners States in the United States claim 16 International Dark Sky Parks certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.

The star-filled Four Corners States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah in the southwestern United States claim 16 International Dark Sky Parks, accounting for almost 40 percent of International Dark-Sky Association’s certified 41 International Dark Sky Parks.

The International Dark-Sky Association, co-founded in 1988 by astronomer David Livingstone Crawford and radiologist Timothy “Tim” B. Hunter to protect night skies, has certified 30 International Dark Sky Parks in the United States. The certification recognizes the park’s extraordinary starry nights, specific protection of heritages and promotion of public enjoyment.

International Dark Sky Parks encourage prime sky views for amateur, novice and expert skywatchers and stargazers. Skyward viewing park visitors benefit from supplemental experiences of impressive landscapes in the parks’ natural settings. Similarly, park visitors who may have been drawn by park landscapes enjoy the bonus attraction of clear, dark, starry panoramas.

The Four Corners States in the American Southwest host 16 of the 30 International Dark Sky Parks sited in the United States. The four-state region, known for rugged, spectacular landscapes, claims the honor of the first-ever certified International Dark Sky Park. On March 6, 2007, Natural Bridges National Monument in southwestern Utah became the first certified IDA International Dark Sky Park.

Utah welcomes the most number of certifications, with six International Dark Sky Parks within its borders. A seventh International Dark Sky Park straddles Utah’s border with Colorado.

Canyonlands National Park balances spectacular skies with colorful, eroded landscapes in southeastern Utah. Capitol Reef National Park in south central Utah supplements exceptional starry nights with white Navajo Sandstone cliffs and domes. Dead Horse Point State Park, which overlooks a gooseneck bend of the Colorado River, is adjacent to Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. Goblin Valley State Park in south central Utah claims among the world’s highest concentrations of hoodoos, fantastically-shaped, freestanding, sandstone-capped rock pinnacles. Natural Bridges National Monument features the world’s second largest natural bridge. Weber County North Fork Park in north central Utah is a cross-country skiing mecca that emphasizes its rustic, wild landscapes and darkened skyscapes.

Hovenweep National Monument straddles the southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado borders. Geographically isolated, the International Dark Sky Park frames ruins of Native American villages, dating from A.D. 900 to 1350, with natural, non-polluted skies.

Arizona has four International Dark Sky Parks. Formerly the Kennally Family Ranch, Oracle State Park in southeastern Arizona is a wildlife refuge with skyglow from nearby Tucson blocked by the Santa Catalina Mountains. Flagstaff Area National Monuments in north central Arizona preserves archaeological sites and natural landmarks and benefits from effective outdoor lighting codes for nearby urbanization. Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northwestern Arizona beguile visitors with equally dramatic landscapes and skyscapes.

New Mexico hosts four International Dark Sky Parks. Capulin Volcano National Monument in northeastern New Mexico provides nearly pristine night skies and an unobstructed panorama of portions of four states (Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) from its volcanic altitudinous rim, at 2,494 meters (8,182.41 feet) above sea level. Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico protects the ruins of an ancient civilization and maintains strict, sky-friendly lighting guidelines. Clayton Lake State Park in northeastern New Mexico edges the American Great Plains with grasslands, sandstone bluffs and volcanic rocks. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monuments in central New Mexico preserves ruins and structures built by Native Americans and Spanish missionaries.

In addition to the International Dark Sky Park shared with Utah, Colorado has one designated park completely within its borders. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwestern Colorado is a steep, shadow-shrouded, vertical wilderness with sparse artificial light at night.

The takeaway for the Four Corners States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah as hosts of 16 International Dark Sky Parks is the southwestern sites’ exceptional offerings of complete immersions in land- and sky-based natural spectacles.

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah is the first International Dark Sky Park, certified by the International Dark-Sky Association; night sky at Owachomo Bridge: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank, Public Domain, via Natural Bridges National Monument Utah @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=5AF91578-155D-451F-67E830852E0F04E7; (image URL @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=0&id=5ae5146b-155d-451f-67ec-b9ea5c718db7&gid=5AF91578-155D-451F-67E830852E0F04E7)

Hovenweep National Monument's International Dark Sky Park designation is shared by Colorado and Utah; “Milky Way at the Square Tower Group”: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank, Public Domain, via Hovenweep National Monument CO, UT @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=5B060AD9-155D-451F-676686B3081918F8; (image URL @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=0&id=5ac25223-155d-451f-67fd-ec98a2e186a8&gid=5B060AD9-155D-451F-676686B3081918F8)

For further information:

“Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/blackcanyon/

“Canyonlands National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/canyonlands/

“Capitol Reef National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/capitolreef/

“Capulin Volcano National Monument (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/capulin-volcano-national-monument/

“Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/chacoculture/

“Clayton Lake State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/claytonlake/

“Dead Horse Point State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/deadhorsepoint/

“Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/enchantedrock/

“Flagstaff Area National Monuments (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/flagstaff-area-national-monuments/

“Four Corners, Southwestern U.S.” NASA Earth Observatory > Image of the Day. Sept. 25, 2011.
Available @ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=52242&src=eoa-iotd

“Goblin Valley State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/goblin-valley-state-park/

“Grand Canyon National Park (U.S.). International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/grandcanyon/

“Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/parashant/

“Hovenweep National Monument (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/hovenweep/

The International Dark-Sky Association. Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Solutions for Individuals and Communities. Mechanicsburg PA: Stackpole Books, 2012.

“International Dark Sky Parks.” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/

Marriner, Derdriu. "United States Has 30 International Dark Sky Parks as of October 2016." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/united-states-has-30-international-dark.html

“Natural Bridges National Monument (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/naturalbridges/

“Oracle State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/

“Weber County North Fork Park (U.S.)." International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/northforkpark/

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

United States Has 30 International Dark Sky Parks as of October 2016

Summary: As of October 2016, the United States has 30 International Dark Sky Parks certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.

As of October 2016, the United States has 30 International Dark Sky Parks, accounting for 75 percent of the total of 41 International Dark Sky Parks certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.

International Dark Sky Parks celebrate the wonders of nighttime skies. All levels of stargazers, from novice to amateur to expert, enjoy exploring darkened skies that are undiminished by light pollution.

Co-founded in 1988 by astronomer David Livingstone Crawford and radiologist Timothy “Tim” B. Hunter, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) aims to protect nightscapes worldwide by way of the association's dark sky place certification programs. Certification serves to identify worldwide parks committed to promoting an outstanding quality of starry nights via dark sky preservation.

International Dark Sky Parks emphasize public access and outreach as well as proper stewardship of nocturnal environments. Certification requires usage of eco-friendly outdoor lighting fixtures as effective remedies for reducing or eliminating light pollution.

The first-ever certification of an International Dark Sky Park dates to March 6, 2007, with accreditation of Natural Bridges National Monument in southwestern Utah. The most recent U.S. park certification, occurring Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, for New Mexico’s Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S.), brings the total to 30 for International Dark Sky Parks sited in the United States.

International Dark Sky Parks in the western United States, currently tallied at 23, represent 75 percent of the U.S. certification total of 30. The star-filled Four Corners States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah account for 16 of the western United States’ 23 International Dark Sky Parks.

In addition to the star-filled Four Corners States, four other western states participate in the International Dark-Sky Association’s certification. Their combined tally of successful certifications accounts for seven International Dark Sky Parks.

Texas has four International Dark Sky Parks. Big Bend National Park in far west Texas offers backpacking and hiking trails and super dark skies. Copper Breaks State Park in northern Texas emphasizes its exceptional night skies amid a landscape of fractures and faults, known as breaks, two small lakes and trails. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in central Texas features star parties along with caving, hiking and picnicking. UBarU Camp and Retreat Center in west central Texas encompasses publicly-available, privately-owned land in a part of the scenic Hill Country.

Death Valley National Park in California and Great Basin National Park in Nevada contribute to the southwest’s dominant holdings of western United States’ International Dark Sky Parks. Solitary certification in the Pacific Northwest goes to southwestern Washington’s Goldendale Observatory State Park.

Seven states in the eastern United States account for seven International Dark Sky Parks. Four Eastern Seaboard states have International Dark Sky Parks: central Florida’s Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park; western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park; north central Pennsylvania’s Cherry Springs State Park; south central Virginia’s Staunton River State Park.

Two east north central states have International Dark Sky Parks: northwestern Michigan’s Headlands Park; northeastern Ohio’s Geauga Observatory Park. The eastern south central United States holds one International Dark Sky Park: northeastern middle Tennessee’s Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area.

The takeaway for the United States’ 30 International Dark Sky Parks is that proper stewardship of the nighttime skies expands appreciation of the nightly spectacle, naturally available to skywatchers and stargazers, that breaks up darkness with recognizable sparkles.

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Cherry Springs State Park became the United States’ second International Dark Sky Park but also the first such certified park in the eastern United States; night sky, with Milky War and stars, over Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, Pennsylvania; Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, 22:07:44: Nicholas A. Tonelli from Pennsylvania, USA, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_Nicholas_T_-_Sky_Rift.jpg;
Nicholas_T, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholas_t/5073271013/

On Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument became the United States' 30th International Dark Sky Park; annular eclipse visible Sunday, May 20, 2012, from Gran Quivira Ruins, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair, New Mexico; although formally closed at night, the park was opened as a special program for visitor viewing: National Park Service, Public Domain, via Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument New Mexico @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=CA5A00D2-155D-451F-67204EB2E4464DEE; (image URL @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=0&id=ca781617-155d-451f-67c3-9672221ab9e3&gid=CA5A00D2-155D-451F-67204EB2E4464DEE

For further information:

“Big Bend National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/bigbend/

“Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/blueridge/

“Cherry Springs State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/cherrysprings/

“Copper Breaks State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/copperbreaks/

“Death Valley National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/deathvalley/

“Geauga Observatory Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/geauga/

“Goldendale Observatory Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/goldendale/

“Great Basin National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/greatbasin/

“Headlands (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/headlands/

The International Dark-Sky Association. Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Lighting Solutions for Individuals and Communities. Mechanicsburg PA: Stackpole Books, 2012.

“International Dark Sky Parks.” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/

“Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/kissimmeeprairie/

“Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/pickettpogue/

“Staunton River State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/stauntonriver/

“UBarU Camp and Retreat Center (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/ubaru/