Mesa Verde Natonal Park Designated As Dark Sky Park

Above, Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park has received a new designation, one that should make amateur astronomers happy.

The Journal reported:

Mesa Verde National Park is known for preserving ancient cultural sites, and now it will protect the nighttime view of the stars above as well.

This year, Mesa Verde was designated the 100th International Dark Sky Park, according to a park news release Monday.

The certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies and provides added opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy based interpretive programming.

“We are happy to announce our work to advance the preservation of Mesa Verde’s night skies and provide visitors opportunities to experience the wonder of starry nights,” said park Superintendent Cliff Spencer. “National Parks are some of the best places in America to see a breathtaking array of stars, planets and neighboring galaxies.”

The multiyear application process included light pollution surveys, light source inventory, reducing outdoor lighting and downcast lighting systems. Essential outdoor lighting was upgraded to energy efficiency bulbs, which reduces park costs.

Dark Sky parks are also seen to create economic opportunities by promoting astronomy-based tourism.

Above, a view of Cortez, Colorado from Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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