You May Even See The Milky Way
If you live in or close to a city centre, you’re probably not seeing as many stars as you would like to. Our world is full of light pollution and radio wave frequencies, which often hinder us from seeing the sky the way our ancestors did. Luckily, many places in the world offer a glimpse of our sky before the Industrial Revolution.
1. Atacama Desert, Chile
This plateau is located on the Pacific coast of South America, spanning across 105,000 km² (40,540 mi²). It’s considered the driest nonpolar desert in the world, with an average rainfall of 15 mm (0.6 in) every year. Thanks to its combination of high altitude, clear skies, dry air, and minimal light pollution and radio interference, this southern desert is one of the best places in the world to observe the night sky in its purest form.
2. Mongolia
This landlocked country is considered the world's most sparsely populated sovereign state, with an area of 1,564,116 km² (6043,909 mi²) and a total population of 3.5 million. Due to its low population, the country is an excellent spot for stargazing. We’d recommend a visit to the Gobi Desert for an especially remote location.
Nicolas Ladino Silva on Unsplash
3. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand
This area of the world was specifically designed to keep the night sky shining bright above us. Located in the Mackenzie Basin, including parts of Aoraki National Park, this protected area is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. It covers 4,367 km² (1,686.1 mi²).
4. Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand
The country of New Zealand must really love our night sky, as it also has 3,665 km² (1,415 mi²) of protected lands on its North Island. This area covers sections of the Aorangi Forest Park, the South Wairarapa, and the Carterton District.
🇻🇪 Jose G. Ortega Castro 🇲🇽 on Unsplash
5. Mauna Kea, Hawai’i
This dormant shield volcano is the highest peak on the island of Hawai’i. Stretching 4,207.3 m (13,803 ft) above sea level, this volcano is the 15th-tallest mountain in the world. Its height alone makes it an excellent spot for watching the night sky.
6. Wiruna, Australia
This area of the Australian outback is situated on 107 acres (43 hectares) of land owned and operated by the Astronomical Society of NSW. It received a designated observatory confirmation back in 2019.
7. Death Valley National Park, United States
Located in California, Death Valley is considered the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the world, and the largest national park in the United States. Despite its low altitude, it still has one of the darkest night skies in the United States.
8. Natural Bridges National Monument, United States
This monument is located at the Utah junction of White Canyon and Armstrong Canyon, and features the largest natural bridge in the world. Its remote location makes it less vulnerable to light pollution, so you can experience the full beauty of the night sky while camping in the park.
Natural Bridges National Monument on Wikimedia
9. Jasper National Park, Canada
This national park is the largest national park in the province of Alberta, spanning 11,000 km² (4,299 mi²). The park is also a part of the Dark Sky Preserve, getting so dark that you’re even able to see the northern lights at certain points of the year.
10. Cape Town, South Africa
This port city is the capital of South Africa and is surrounded by the shadow of Table Mountain. Despite it being a city centre, the city does have an observatory suburb with four powerful telescopes. For an even better view of the night sky, you can drive out to the Cederberg Mountains.
11. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
This private nature reserve is located in the southern part of Namibia, and was established to help preserve the unique ecology of the south-western desert. As it’s one of Africa’s largest nature reserves, it’s a popular destination for stargazers everywhere.
12. Teide National Park, Spain
This park is located on the island of Tenerife and features a stratovolcano that reaches heights of 3,718 m (12,198.1 ft). Thanks to a lack of light pollution and high altitude, you can use one of the many telescopes offered at this park to see the sky in great detail.
13. Bryce Canyon National Park, United States
This Utah-based park features the largest collection of hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) anywhere in the world. Thanks to its high elevation and recently gained International Dark Sky status, this park takes pride in having some of the darkest night skies in the country. You can even see the Milky Way band on especially clear nights.
14. Lahbab Desert, United Arab Emirates
This desert is popular among sand skiers, quad bikers, performers, and campers alike. Located 50km south of Dubai, this 2,000 km² (772.2 mi²) area is also well-known for its desert safaris, which include stargazing as one of the many activities.
15. Roque De Los Muchachos En la Palma, Spain
This summit point is located on La Palma Island in the Canaries. It has an altitude of 2,428 m (7964.8 ft), making it the second-highest mountain in the Atlantic, after Tenerife. This island also boasts an astrophysical observatory, offering nighttime tours to showcase the gorgeous night sky.
16. Pic Du Midi De Bigorre, France
This mountain is located in the Pyrenees range, and is a site of the Pic du Midi Observatory. The summit has an elevation of 2,877 m (9,438.9 ft) and was awarded the International Dark Sky Reserve label, passing with flying colors.
17. Nova Scotia, Canada
Considered the most populated Atlantic province of Canada, you’d be surprised to discover that it has two Dark Sky Areas. The first is the Acadian Skies, located east of the port city of Yarmouth. The second is the Kejimkujik National Park, located between the northwest city of Bear River and the southwest city of Liverpool.
18. Joshua Tree National Park, United States
This California-based park is a part of San Bernardino County, spanning 3,217.9 km² (1,242.4 mi²). It has 4 designated stargazing areas: Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain.
19. Cherry Springs State Park, United States
This park is located in northcentral Pennsylvania, spanning 82 acres (33 ha) with an elevation gain of 701 m (2,300 ft). It was the state’s first dark sky park all the way back in 2000, and the second International Dark Sky Park worldwide. The park regularly hosts stargazing and educational programs.
Nicholas A. Tonelli from Northeast Pennsylvania, USA on Wikimedia
20. Out At Sea
Think about it. Sure, the elevation isn’t great, but a lack of light pollution and unobstructed horizon still makes a sky-focused sea voyage an incredible experience. There are even astronomy-focused cruises you can take to get a really good glimpse of the stars.
