Maine’s spectacular rocky coast is home to Acadia National Park, and some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States. The designation by the International Dark-Sky Association is the first of its kind along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S., the second in the National Park Service and the 12th such designation in the world. The 12th Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival is set for September 29 – October 3, 2021, and will once again be packed with a full schedule of events. Cattle Point is one of two urban star parks in Canada, where the skies are still usable for astronomy. 3. Seawall Campground Campground near Southwest Harbor. Although it’s only a provisional Dark Sky Park, the fact … It is not a comprehensive map of dark sites generally. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. With the naked eye alone from a dark site you’ll see thousands of stars, meteors, the zodiacal light, airglow, satellites, the milky way, nebulas, and occasionally auroras and comets. This International Dark Sky Park In Colorado Will Take You A Million Miles Away From It All While living in any of Colorado’s many cities has its perks, there is a downside: light pollution. Since its inaugural run, the Acadia Night Sky Festival has attracted much national attention and recognition, not only for its unique purpose, but for the collaboration that it has inspired among some of the major private organizations in Hancock County. It is estimated that 99 percent of residents of the United States and Europe live under light polluted skies and nearly 80 percent of the world’s population experiences skyglow at night. The Acadia Night Sky Festival is a community celebration to promote the protection and enjoyment of Downeast Maine’s stellar night sky … It will be an opportunity for the public, star enthusiasts, and volunteer-in-parks astronomers to observe celestial objects. Previous years poster are also available. PATTEN, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is now a “dark sky” sanctuary, the National Park Service announced Friday. Here, the Milky Way shines bright in the largest expanse of naturally dark sky east of the Mississippi River. The Park Service describes the area as “awe-inspiring,” with glittering stars and planets and occasional displays of the aurora borealis. Since the program began, more than 100 Dark Sky Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries, Communities, and Dark Sky Friendly Developments have received International Dark Sky designations. ***Please note we are currently experiencing technical issues with the interactive maps**** ***We are working diligently to resolve the technical issues with the interactive maps and restore full functionality**** This map shows the positions of locations designated as part of the International Dark Sky Places Program only. In 2007, the Bar Harbor Conservation Commission (BHCC), held their biennial Conservation Summit; it was here that the need to preserve the night skies over Mount Desert Island and its surrounding communities as the darkest skies on the Eastern seaboard, was first brought to light. Used with permission In case in-person gatherings are not allowed in September, Friends is preparing a virtual version of the event. Twice each year we’ll send you the latest news about the festival including upcoming speakers, event details, and new initiatives being supported by the festival. Maine’s spectacular rocky coast is home to Acadia National Park, and some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States. The Seventh Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival, September 10–14, is a bucket-list event for anyone with a passion for the night sky. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. With the rapid loss of dark skies to light pollution receiving national attention, Maine is increasingly being referred to as one place “that still has stars.” We invite you to discover Downeast Maine’s unique commitment to protecting the quality of its starlit nights at this annual celebration. One of Maine’s eastern-most points is arguably the best place to watch the heavens pass. Rappahannock County Park is the third county park in the U.S. to be awarded this honor. The sea breeze keeps the skies clear and the national park cuts down on any light pollution. Maine is at the forefront of the dark sky movement, with Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island holding an annual Acadia Night Sky Festival. Recognizing the overwhelming response from the residents and respective municipalities, the need to celebrate this wonderful commodity became apparent, and that same year, the inaugural Acadia Night Sky Festival was held. Popular spots include the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the site of the annual Star Party (not just telescopes, but talks and walks too). This map is based on light pollution data updated in 2006 by David Lorenz. It's … Help support the festival by purchasing a 2019 Acadia Night Sky Festival Poster. Read on to get all the information you need to plan your own stargazing trip in Acadia National Park. - Sortable Dark Site Listing - Add A New Dark Site - How To See the Milky Way - How To See the Aurora - Color Scale Meaning - More Astronomy Links. In Lakeland Provincial Park, camp in quiet, lakeside campgrounds at Touchwood, Pinehurst, Siebert or Ironwood Lakes, or get an even more remote and dark sky experience when you launch your canoe on Alberta’s only lake canoe circuit. Join us for one of the premier night sky events on the eastern seaboard. The designation by the International Dark-Sky Association is the first of its kind along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S., the second in the National Park Service and the 12th such designation in the world. Canyonlands National Park is a dark sky park located in Utah. Copyright Acadia Night Sky Festival - 2018. The Acadia Night Sky Festival originated as an outcome of the enthusiasm of the local community and government over the adoption of a local ordinance. (It's like magic!) Sign up to receive the Acadia Night Sky Festival’s newsletter. A dark-sky preserve status enables high-quality astronomical observation in Paranal Observatory. Used by many to find good observing sites. The mountain peaks we ski by day are in relief against the sky, blanketed and tucked away as temperatures dip and darkness falls. Help us celebrate the starlit skies of Downeast Maine through education, science and the arts. This spring the park was added to the shortlist of International Dark Sky Sanctuaries. But Bar Harbor’s 2009 “Light and Glare” law, designed to preserve the Eastern Seaboard’s inkiest night sky, has made the island town best known for Acadia National Park a stargazing mecca. The land may be publicly owned, or privately owned provided that the landowner (s) consent to the right of permanent, ongoing public access to specific areas included in the IDA … The campsites in this state park are nice, but it is … The naturally dark night sky at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument has become a draw for visitors at the northern-Maine monument, as shown above at the annual "Stars over Katahdin" event. The current ANSF planning committee is made up of representatives from the Emera Astronomy Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Jesup Memorial Library, Mount Desert Island High School, the National Park Service, Seal Cove Auto Museum, and the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Make a contribution today to help support the mission of the Acadia Night Sky Festival and allow us to continue sharing the importance of dark sky preservation. The Star Party on Cadillac Mountain is a highlight of the 6 th Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival, which will take place in Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula from September 25 to 29. A color-coded map of the world showing sources and levels of light pollution (man-made light that lights up the night sky and reduces what astronomers can see). There are also panoramic viewing points at either end of the Carrick Forest Drive in the northern part of the Forest Park.Guide map to Gall… With the rapid loss of dark skies to light pollution receiving national attention, Maine is increasingly being referred to as one place “that still has stars.” The night skies of Acadia National Park are some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States. This distinction recognizes “an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment,” according to the International Dark-Sky … I also see some nice Dark Blue areas not too far from here...an accessible hilltop farm I know in Freedom. Wave after wave of deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires stretch across 527 square miles. Acadia National Park | Mount Desert Island, Maine One of the most scenic locations along the Eastern seaboard is also one of New England’s premier stargazing spots: Acadia National Park. Due to public health concerns and safety protocols limiting large group gatherings, the 12th annual Acadia Night Sky Festival is being postponed until September 2021. Yet, at Sunday River, the mountain scenery can be very much alive after dark—particularly on winter weekends when the lights are on and lifts run into the night. Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information: with down-to-the-minute forecasts for your exact location, you'll never get caught in the rain again. The incredible landscape and dark skies of Maine offer great opportunities for amateur and professional astrophotographers alike to capture awe-inspiring images of the night sky. Dark Sky (Black Zone) in Maine? This is a beautiful star-gazing park located on the Oak Bay waterfront. An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. Cattle Point Dark Sky Urban Star Park. At 9 p.m. on any Wednesday or Saturday through the end of August, spread your blanket on Acadia’s Sand Beach, lie back, and allow a park ranger to take you on a one … “Experiencing the night skies here will take you back in time to the night skies first experienced by the Wabanaki 11,000 years ago and the many people who have followed in their footsteps,” said Katahdin Woods and Waters Superintendent Tim Hudson. FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2017, file photo, stars rotate in the night sky over the East Branch of the Penobscot River, in this time exposure at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Patten, Maine. Fairbanks, Alaska. Canyonlands National Parkis home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the N… The park has been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboard of the United States and only the 12th designation in the world. Celebrating the starlit skies of Downeast Maine. The park … If you can avoid stumbling into cacti, this national park (and a certified International Dark Sky Park) straddling the Mojave Desert and lower … A dark-sky preserve (DSP), also known as a dark sky reserve, is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial light pollution. An observatory of the Downeast Amateur Astronomers "Americas most easterly observatory" in Pembroke, Maine. - posted in General Observing and Astronomy: Our club observatory (Brower) in Whitefield has a Dark Green rating on Clear Sky Clock and the Light Pollution Atlas, as do our two sister club locations in Lincolnville and Damariscotta. The Park Service describes the area as “awe-inspiring,” with glittering stars and planets and occasional displays of the aurora borealis Welcome to DarkSiteFinder.com – stop by the new Dark Sites Page If you have never seen a clear, starry sky from a place devoid of light pollution then you don’t know what you’re missing. These 27 national parks have all earned designations as International Dark Sky Parks and Sanctuaries. As a result, the BHCC proceeded to develop over the course of the following two years a local ordinance that required ‘night sky friendly’ outdoor lighting on all new construction in the town of Bar Harbor, in an effort to prevent any further light pollution to our local skies. This map shows the locations of stargazing events taking place in the next 30 days. The Acadia Night Sky Festival is driven by volunteer power and support from a range of organizations. Acadia National Park is one of the best spots for stargazing in New England, one of the biggest dark sky locations in the Eastern Seaboard, and one of the best national parks for stargazing in the country. Help us celebrate the starlit skies of Downeast Maine through education, science and the arts. Many a travel bucket list includes seeing the northern lights and you … If you live in one of these metropolitan areas and want to get away for a night under the stars – or if you just love stargazing – we recommend visiting this newly-designated Colorado … You can walk along the shore, as well as explore the Oak Bay Walk Of The Inner Planets Trail and Oak Bay itself. The almost 90,000-acre Katahdin Woods Monument was established in 2016 to protect the natural and cultural landscape of the north Maine woods, east of Baxter State Park. Here, the Milky Way shines bright in the largest expanse of naturally dark sky east of the Mississippi River. The popularity of this effort among both local communities and government drew such incredible support that in 2009, the ‘Bar Harbor Ordinance – Light and Glare’ was voted in by a landslide popular vote. You’ll get a great view from any of our three visitor centres at Glentrool, Kirroughtree and particularly at Clatteringshaws which overlooks the unlit heart of the Forest Park.There are Dark Sky information points at the visitor centres and at a series of sites across the Forest Park to help you identify the constellations and planets you can see. It is a mirror of David Lorenz's Light Pollution Atlas 2016, but superimposed on Open Street Maps. Only a dozen locations around the world have received this designation from the International Dark-Sky Association , an organization devoted to preserving and protecting the nighttime environment through responsible outdoor lighting. With workshops, internationally recognized speakers and hands-on experiences, there truly is something for everyone from families to the serious amateur astronomer. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania. 1 /4. 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