Here’s Where Else to Find the Clearest Night Sky
This summer there was a constant parade of meteor showers and shining planets that would like to hit us in the night sky, but one thing stands between us and the perfect sight: light pollution. It can be difficult (even nearly impossible) to get out of the city’s bright lights, but there are still places in the United States that offer crystal-clear, unblemished views of space.
Light pollution not only has all kinds of adverse effects on human health and natural ecosystems, but also prevents us from seeing the beauty of the real night sky . But a study published in the Journal of Environmental Management has now identified artificial light pollution at the county level, revealing areas with an unobstructed view.
Unsurprisingly, light pollution is rampant in the vast majority of the eastern part of the country, but there are a few exceptions in parts of Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine. However, rural areas in the western United States, as well as much of Alaska and Hawaii, remain the best spots for stargazing.
Unfortunately, it may not be possible to travel that far to admire the scenery, especially if you’re in the Washington D.C. area, which the Washington Post reports is both the country’s most light-polluted region and the farthest (800 miles!) night sky. But there are a few things you can do to reduce light pollution from your own home:
Strategies to reduce light pollution include shielding outdoor fixtures so that light is directed only to the area where it is needed and not up towards the sky, choosing bulbs that do not emit excessive amounts of blue light, and providing even lighting. needed.
This will not make the sky as clear as in Northern Arizona, but this is just the beginning.
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