Dark Skies: How Arizona’s Night Skies Are Changing The World!

Arizona is a hub for bird watching, stargazing, and hiking. Especially in southern Arizona, where cities are small and light pollution is minimal! Arizona has more dark skies than any other state in the U.S, and it is also home ot the first ever Dark Skies City. Arizona has made immense changes in light pollution through the Dark Skies Movement. What is the Dark Skies movement, and why does Arizona's role in it matter to the community?

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What are "Dark Skies"?

Dark skies refer to night skies that are optimal for stargazing, astronomy, and identifying constellations and planets. Anyone who loves the night sky loves living in a place where you can't just see the stars, but identify them, too! Dark Sky Cities are cities that have minimal light pollution and stars that are visible to the naked eye.

Dark Sky Cities like Flagstaff and Bisbee provide a perfect place for stargazers and astronomers alike to analyze and photograph the beautiful night sky.

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The Movement

In 1958, the then-small town of Flagstaff, Arizona, enacted the first-ever light pollution regulations. This is noted as one of the first major moments for the Dark Skies Movement. The ultimate goal of this movement is to make the night sky visible in every part of the world, no matter the size of the city.

There are currently 65+ chapters in the Dark Skies Movement. These groups of people are dedicated to reducing light pollution and making the sky visible again. The hope is that as time goes on, every city will have regulations on light pollution so everyone, no matter where they live, can see and enjoy the beauty that is the night sky.

Arizona's part

Flagstaff was the first city to be established as a dark sky city. In 2001, the International Dark Sky Association recognized it for its progress in reducing light pollution. The city lights in Flagstaff are designed in a way that makes it so that no matter what part of the city you are in, you can see the stars

Many Arizona cities have since adopted the Dark Sky Ordinance, including Flagstaff, Sedona, Camp Verde, Oak Creek, Cottonwood, Fountain Hills, Bisbee, and Tubac. These cities are highly regarded for their effective management of light pollution and their commitment to educating the community about astronomy. Most of these cities have astronomy centers and observatories that are open to the public!

FUN FACT: Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff, Arizona, by a man named Clyde W. Tombaugh!

READ more about Cochise County: What Makes Cochise County A Birdwatching Paradise?

Arizona is the perfect stargazing destination, with such a rich astronomical history and clear weather; it is no wonder we are a hub for the Dark Skies Movement!