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NASA Urges Public to Leave the City as Milky Way Appears — 15 Places to Go
As the magnificent Milky Way makes its appearance in the night sky, NASA is urging the public to leave the city and seek out dark rural skies for an unparalleled stargazing experience. The galactic core of this celestial wonder becomes visible in June from the Northern Hemisphere and offers a breathtaking sight that connects us with the vastness of space.
To best observe the Milky Way’s core, it is essential to escape light pollution, which has increased by 7-10% annually between 2011 and 2022. “It is crucial to find dark locations far from bright city lights,” emphasizes Preston Dyches, Public Engagement Specialist at NASA. Long-exposure photography can help enhance the view by capturing more vivid details of the stars and dust clouds.
To achieve this immersive experience, we have compiled a list of 15 exceptional places that offer optimal stargazing conditions:
1. Cherry Springs State Park (International Dark Sky Park) – Pennsylvania
2. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (International Dark Sky Sanctuary) – Maine
3. Gower National Landscape (International Dark Sky Community) – Wales, UK
4. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (International Dark Sky Park) – Florida
5. Fremont Indian State Park (International Dark Sky Park) – Utah
6. Morvan Regional Park (International Dark Sky Reserve) – Saint-Brisson, France
7. Grand Canyon National Park (International Dark Sky Park) – Arizona
8. Medicine Rocks State Park (International Dark Sky Sanctuary) – Montana
9. Middle Fork River Forest Preserve (International Dark Sky Park) – Illinois
10. Chaco Culture National Historical Park (International Dark Sky Park) – New Mexico
11. Great Basin National Park (International Dark Sky Park) – California/Nevada
12. Anholt Island International Dark Sky Park, Anholt, Denmark
13. Devils River State Natural Area (Del Norte Unit) (International Dark Sky Sanctuary) – Texas
14. Geauga Observatory Park (International Dark Sky Park) – Ohio
15. Obed Wild and Scenic River International Dark Sky Park – Tennessee
Source: www.forbes.com
