Night Sky

The Milky Way rising over your campsite, the shimmering moon guiding your way, and the fading light that draws one's thoughts inward. These are all aspects of natural darkness that inspire park visitors and complete a national park experience.

Starry night skies and natural darkness are important components of the special places the National Park Service protects. National parks hold some of the last remaining harbors of darkness and provide an excellent opportunity for the public to experience this endangered resource. The NPS is dedicated to protecting and sharing this resource for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

The NPS uses the term "natural lightscape" to describe resources and values that exist in the absence of human-caused light at night. Natural lightscapes are critical for nighttime scenery, such as viewing a starry sky, but are also critical for maintaining nocturnal habitat. Many wildlife species rely on natural patterns of light and dark for navigation, to cue behaviors, or hide from predators. Lightscapes can be cultural as well, and may be integral to the historical fabric of a place. Human-caused light may be obtrusive in the same manner that noise can disrupt a contemplative or peaceful scene. Light that is undesirable in a natural or cultural landscape is often called "light pollution."

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Featured Topics

Global Explorers Student Contest

"What do you think about when you look into the night sky?" See how students from across the country answered this question in prose and art!

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Useful Resources

• International Dark-Sky Association
• Dark Sky Awareness–Globe At Night
• Our Vanishing Night–National Geographic