Some Areas In Texas Have Forced 'Dark Skies' & Rare Views Of The Milky Way
There are currently 11 pitch-black areas in the Lone Star state!
Texas is a land of seemingly infinite natural wonders. Natural parks, man-made rivers, and sculpted caverns are some to name a few.
One natural marvel that many people don't immediately think of are the actual designated dark sky locations around the whole state that remain unscathed by the silver touch of city lights. These dark skies are the ultimate destination for stargazers of all ilk.
The International Dark-Sky Association aims to preserve spots around the world, where people can still look up and watch the sky above them.
No joke, there are currently 11 pitch-black areas in the Lone Star state where you can see the milky way swirl above.
What are Dark Sky preserves?
The IDA designates certain tracts of land around the world where artificial light is prohibited solely to preserve starry night skies where they show up the best.
They created a program that keeps track of the different types of Dark Skies there are based on the location.
For instance, there are 5 categories: communities, which are cities that have implemented efforts to keep dark skies; parks, either public or private; sanctuaries, like observatories; areas of distinction; and reserves, which contain the darkest of Dark Skies.
All categories must meet the main required guidelines that vary, but all require one thing: a starry night sky that the public can witness.
So, where exactly in Texas can you see the milky way?
That's obviously everyone's most burning question.
Well, four parks, one sanctuary, and six communities around the state vow to keep the skies clear for humans to enjoy views of the dazzling stars and shining planets.
The most popular, and actually the largest Dark Sky reserve in the world, is the area that encompasses the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory in West Texas.
The impressive observatory joined forces with IDSA to create a preservable span of land for astronomical research, tourism, and wildlife to thrive.
"The new Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve will encompass more than 15,000 square miles in portions of western Texas and northern Mexico," UT News reported back in April.
That may be the largest, but it's not the darkest in the state. That title goes to Big Bend Ranch National Park, which is out west in the desert ghost town of Terlingua, TX, and ranks a measly, little 1 on the Bortle scale of light pollution.
It's pretty darn dark here, so we can promise you a dazzling, starry sky on any clear night.