TUCSON, Ariz. — Looking for a place to admire the stars? Arizona is now home to an “Urban Night Sky Place,” perfect for seasoned star gazers and celestial newbies alike to enjoy the night sky.
Saguaro National Park joined the ranks of just nine places that have the designation “Urban Night Sky Place” on Nov. 13. It is only the second National Park Service site to receive the designation and the first of its kind in Arizona.
The International DarkSky Places program, which designates “Urban Night Sky Places” as well as other similar designations, certifies communities, parks and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect the sky through responsible lighting policies and public education, according to the DarkSky International website.
Arizona was already home to 19 dark-sky communities, parks and places, but this site is the first urban area to get that designation.
The certification recognizes sites that are near or surrounded by large urban areas and whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light at night.
“We are excited to share our work to advance the preservation of Saguaro National Park’s night skies; we are delighted to provide visitors with opportunities to experience the wonder of starry nights,” said Acting Superintendent Jeff Conn in a press release. “National parks are some of the best places in America to see a breathtaking array of stars, planets, and neighboring galaxies.”
The National Park protects more than 94,000 acres of Sonoran Desert habitat, including more than 70,000 acres of federally designated wilderness to the east and west of Tucson. Tucson is also the headquarters for DarkSky International.
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