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Look to the skies at New Mexico's nine International Dark Sky Places
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Want to enjoy a night under the stars? Explore one of New Mexico’s nine International Dark Sky Places.
According to Derek Wallentinsen, chair of the New Mexico Dark Sky Places Committee, there are five different International Dark Sky Place designations, of which New Mexico has three: International Dark Sky Sanctuary, International Dark Sky Park and Urban Night Sky Place.
New Mexico is home to several firsts in the realm of Dark Sky Places, according to Maribeth Pecotte, the public affairs officer for the Gila National Forest.
“Cosmic Campground was designated as the National Forest system’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2016,” Pecotte said. “It was also the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in North America.”
Wallentinsen says that Dark Sky Parks are usually very dark areas and have outreach and educational programs. Dark Sky Sanctuaries are typically remote areas with fewer outreach and educational programs focused on dark skies.
The Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge was named the International Dark-Sky Association’s first Urban Night Sky Place in 2019.
An Urban Dark Sky Place, Wallentinsen says, was an idea to help people get easier access to dark skies.
“We need to get the numbers out there and make (dark skies) accessible for the people,” Wallentinsen said. “One way to do that is to find places near big cities that are easy to get to by inhabitants of that urban area and still offer some dark sky quality.”
The Dark Sky Places are attempts to help combat light pollution, which has adverse effects on the environment, people, wildlife and more, according to Geoffrey Goins, interpretation chief and night sky coordinator at Capulin Volcano National Monument. He says that he wants everyone to realize the adverse impact light pollution has not only on the environment but also night sky viewing.
“If you’re not enjoying the beauty of the night sky, I can understand why you don’t think it’s important,” Goins said. “But why don’t you? You should enjoy the beauty of the night sky. It’s fantastic.”
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Goins says that there are different viewing opportunities throughout the year.
“(In July) we’re seeing the Milky Way just above the volcano, around 11 o’clock, but if you’re up until two or three in the morning, it’s right overhead and just spectacular,” Goins said. “If you want to see it right overhead before bedtime, you’ve got to wait until August, September, October, to do that.”
No matter what time of year, Wallentinsen says to wait for a moonless night.
“The moon has its own aesthetic. Nothing wrong with that.” Wallentinsen said. “But if you’re up for the most stars in the darkest sky, then you want to pick a time of night and a time of the month when the moon is not visible.”
