By Brian Rayner
JTB Online
Managing Partner
Jan 15, 2023
I am an avid stargazer.
I have been this way ever since I was a young boy.
My grandmother on my mother’s side, was someone near and dear to my heart.
She was the sweetest and most loving soul I have ever known. It goes without saying that I was the apple of her eye.
She would always fondly tell anyone with an ear, how her beloved grandson was a huge fan of The Milky Way Galaxy.
“I have been someone fascinated by the night sky for as long as I can remember…”
She loved telling folks, “When Brian was knee high to a grasshopper, he would sit in my lap, outside on my front porch.”
Then she would say, “He would always point to the sky and say, ‘Moon and tars ma maw….moon and tars!””
I would normally blush in front of whoever she told that story to.
I have been someone fascinated by the night sky for as long as I can remember. So, I have decided to compile a list of the absolutely best places to stargaze within our borders.
The best places in the USA to get a clear view of the Milky Way in the night sky are typically areas with low light pollution. The following are a few places in the USA that are known for their dark skies and good views of the Milky Way:
Joshua Tree National Park, California: Joshua Tree National Park is located in the southern California desert and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada: Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Big Bend National Park, Texas: Big Bend National Park is located in western Texas and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona: Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is located in northern Arizona and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania: Cherry Springs State Park is located in North-central Pennsylvania and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other places in the USA with dark skies that provide good views of the Milky Way.
When planning a trip to see the Milky Way it’s important to check the weather forecast, and the phase of the moon, as the best time to see the Milky Way is during a new moon, when the sky is darkest.
The last time I went stargazing in Big Bend National Park, my wife and I saw a UFO in the twinkling night desert sky. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.
But that is another blog post for another time….