The International Dark Sky Association has developed a program that protects areas of the world that have an exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment. They call them Dark Sky Sanctuaries and they are the best places to star gaze in the world. They differ from Dark Sky Parks and Dark Sky Reserves because the sanctuaries are typically in remote locations with very few threats to the quality of its dark skies and they do not meet the requirements to be a park or reserve. These sanctuaries are meant to encourage the protection of natural night skies around the world through the reduction of light pollution, public outreach and education, and to promote their long-term conservation. According to the IDA, there are only six sanctuaries in the program, these locations include Aotea/Great Barrier Island, New Zealand; Cosmic Campground, New Mexico; Devils River State Natural Area – Del Norte Unit, Texas; Gabriela Mistral, Chile; Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah; and Stewart Island/ Rakiura, New Zealand. In this blog, I will be focusing on the three sanctuaries found in the United States.
The Cosmic Campground is a site in Gila National Forest, New Mexico. It offers a clear 360-degree view of the dark night sky. According to the Cosmic Campground’s website, if you bring a flashlight, you must cover the light with a red plastic filter. If you look at a white light- i.e. car lights or a cell phone- you will not be able to view the natural sky for about 30 minutes. Red lights have longer wavelengths and are much easier on the eyes. White lights are a big culprit of light pollution, which is why we should reduce our usage of it. The website asks that their visitors not bring or use white flashlights, or put on car headlights after dark.
The Devils River State Natural Area- Del Norte Unit in Texas was once apart of a large working ranch. It is now surrounded by private ranches in a very remote location where its visitors are capable of seeing the beautiful and natural night sky. According to Texas Highways Magazine, this sanctuary was ranked a 1 out of 9- 1 being the darkest- on the Bortles Scale for having a very clear view of celestial objects with regard to light pollution and sky glow.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Rainbow Bridge National Monument in Utah. This bridge is one of the tallest and longest natural bridges in the world and was found to have cultural importance to a number of Native American tribes. The habitation of this area goes back thousands of years to tribes like the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Kaibab Paiute, and Ute Mountain Ute, who considered the bridge to be sacred. The bridge is located in an extremely remote area in difficult terrain, so the bridge remained unknown to civilization until 1909. The only way of accessing this location is by a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell from marinas near Page, Arizona, then a mile long hike, or by hiking overland for several days from a trailhead on the south side of Lake Powell. It is said that the arch of the bridge is a symbol of the arch of the Milky Way stretched across the night sky, which is a reminder of the importance and value of the bridge and the natural night sky to the native peoples who inhabited that area.
On the International Dark Sky Association’s website, there are program guidelines for how a location can become qualified to be a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Some of these requirements include evidence of commitment to dark skies and quality outdoor lighting, a sky brightness measurement, a description of the current and future potential risks to the dark skies, and many more. The location must be nominated either by a member of the IDA or become a member and be self-nominated. They must apply to become an official Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Cosmic Campground Visitor Information
Texas Highways Magazine: Devils River State Natural Area
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
This is awesome! I have never heard of dark-sky anything before this post. It was really neat to learn about the requirements to reach different titles and what each one comprised of. I think it would be awesome to visit some of these places and are definitely going to be added to my destination wish list. The fact that there are associations that regulate and inspect sites are really cool and I am excited to see if their presence brings any formal changes to laws and such over time.
I had never heard of these sanctuaries before, it’s such an amazing idea! I enjoyed reading about a few of the places – it’s really interesting that in New Mexico you have to cover your flashlights. And all of the pictures are so beautiful, it’s nice that you included them.
I’ve spent a lot of my time in and around big cities and I don’t think I can even remember the last time I stopped to look at the stars. I think that there are plenty of others out there like me who would be missing out if not for people protecting the integrity of something as simple yet serene as the night sky.