Nature sure is a gift. The Earth. The Moon. The Stars. It is so good for our mind, body, and spirit when we can take the time to appreciate it. All of it. From the things that are happening under our feet, to the wonder and mystery going on above us.
I mentioned the stars. Yes. On a clear, dark night, there is something remarkable about looking up and seeing thousands of stars all across the sky. And we don’t need a telescope or expensive equipment. We can see those stars with our very own eyes. Most of us. You see, the conditions have to be right.
Unfortunately, about 80 percent of North Americans live under skies affected by light pollution. And that light pollution makes it difficult to experience the night fully. I mean, just imagine how generations of our ancestors once viewed the skies. I bet it was magnificent.
But with this, some places are better than others for looking at the night sky. A recent study examined cloud cover and light pollution to determine which states offer the best stargazing.
South Dakota claimed the top spot thanks to its exceptionally dark skies, low annual cloud cover, and large areas with almost no artificial light. Places like Badlands National Park are among the finest locations in the country for viewing the stars.
Here are the ten highest-ranked states for stargazing:
South Dakota
Wyoming
Alaska
Montana
Arizona
Nevada
North Dakota
New Mexico
Nebraska
Oregon
It is no surprise that most of these states are in the American West. That is because there are wide-open landscapes, higher elevations, and fewer people. These elements create ideal conditions for observing the night sky.
When we take the time to look up and truly comprehend what is above us, we are reminded how vast the Universe truly is. Looking up at billions of distant stars has a way of connecting with our inner spirit. It is like we can feel that ancient stardust within us.
“”””””””
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“”””””””
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.” — Carl Sagan
“”””””””
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” — Aristotle
“”””””””
