Articles

A new partnership began in October 2021 and supports science and stewardship activities that benefit both parks and their local communities. Over the next five years parks and their communities will collaborate to identify and address their scientific priorities. Projects in the first year will focus on water quality, marine biodiversity, and preservation of night skies.

New Zealand, an aspiring “dark sky nation,” held a seminal conference on protecting night skies and natural sounds. One of us was a keynote speaker

The National Park Service is a global leader in the fight to preserve dark night skies and quiet soundscapes. The benefits aren’t just esthetic.

In a world where excess light is wiping out our views of the stars at a startling pace, parks can protect natural darkness. But do nighttime visitors support the changes parks must make to bring back dark night skies? We didn’t know until we asked them.

Seeing a shooting star is a magical experience, but what is a shooting star? In this I Didn't Know That! we share the science behind the magic.

Seeing a shooting star is a magical experience, but what is a shooting star? In this I Didn't Know That! we share the science behind the magic.

Light pollution affects our ability to see the stars and it's harmful to nocturnal animals and migratory birds. Find out how you can dim your lights to help protect dark night skies and the wildlife that depends on them.

Did you know white lights from cell phones and flashlights can harm your night vision? A red light is much better for stargazing because it won't impact your (and others) night vision as much. Get the most out of your next stargazing adventure with these night sky friendly tips!

The People of Northern Nights, Starry Skies is an exhibit featuring the work of Carl Gawboy and Travis Novitsky inspired by a WDSE documentary. Paintings and photos on display at Grand Portage National Monument's Heritage Center, December 10, 2022 - January 31, 2023

The National Park Service and the International Dark Sky Association announce the certification of the LBJ Ranch Unit of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park as an International Dark Sky Park. This certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies and provides added opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy-based interpretive programming.