Dark Sky Passport

Welcome to the Dark Sky Passport

How Does the Dark Sky Passport Work?

• Go to a Dark Sky Place, or any place where you can see the stars 
• Enjoy the great outdoors at night and connect with the cosmos
• Complete the activities in the Dark Sky Passport
• For each Dark Sky Place you visit:
  • Describe your experience (see pages in the back of the Passport)
  • Stamp your Passport with a Dark Sky Passport Stamp
• Share your dark sky experience with us and receive your:

SEE THE DARK SKY PASSPORT

Want to order a new Dark Sky Passport?

• Email us at DarkSkyPassport@usu.edu
• Tell us your name, mailing address, the number of passports you need, and where you plan to use it.

Family viewing the Neowise Comet over Antelope Island State Park 
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Milky Way over Capitol Reel National Park  
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

What Is a Dark Sky Place?

Dark Sky Places are parks, communities, and other areas committed to keeping night skies naturally dark by using “night-friendly” outdoor lighting pointing downward and away from neighbors. 

Utah has more certified Dark Sky Places than any other state as recognized by DarkSky International, with 11 National Park units, 10 State Parks, 2 Communities, and 1 County Park.

Utah is famous for spectacular landscapes, an abundance of public land, and amazing dark skies. With good weather, the night skies can cover you in a blanket of stars. Many National and State Parks have astronomy programs that teach about the wonders of the night sky.

Dark Sky Places of Utah

Planning your Dark Sky Trip

• Beginner's Guide to Dark Skies

• Stargazing in Utah

• How to Stargaze in Utah

• Dark Sky Parks in Utah

• Dark Site Finder

• Go with a Guide 
  
  

Night Sky Program at Cedar Breaks National Monument  
Photo Credit: Matthias Schmitt

Stargazing Tips

• Learn how to use a star chart (planisphere)

• Stargazing with the naked eye

• How to Stargaze with binoculars

• How To Navigate Using the Stars

• Stargazing apps & virtual star maps

• Star Party Etiquette
  
  

Astrophotography event at Antelope Island State Park
Photo Credit: Bettymaya Foott

Finding a Star Party

• Utah State Parks: Utah State Park Sky Events & Programs

• National Parks: the events page on any National Park’s website

• At Public Observatories or Planetariums

• Astrophotography 101
  
  

Petroglyph Site at Freemont Indian State Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Star party at Antelope Island State Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Fuller Barn, Eden, Utah  Photo Credit: Janet Muir

Explore the Night Sky 

Join an Astronomy Club near you 

Create a Moon Phase Flipbook

Make Your Own a Planisphere 

Astronomy for Beginners

Community Science:

• Globe at Night

• Western Firefly Project

Cultural Connections:

• Fremont Indian Archaeoastronomy Presentation 

Have You Ever Wondered?

What are stars made of?

What is a galaxy?

What’s a meteor shower?

How long is a light year?

What's the closest star to Earth?

How many stars make up the Milky Way galaxy?

Milky Way over Boulder Mountain, Dixie National Forest
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Finding the North Star

The North Star, also known as “Polaris,” and several well-known constellations can be seen year-round. The Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia are all “circumpolar constellations,” meaning they never set below the horizon and appear to move around the “fixed” North Star. As the Earth rotates on its axis from west to east, these constellations appear to move counterclockwise or backwards, from the real rotation of the earth.

The Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia are all circumpolar constellations that rotate around the North Star.

Star trails over La Sal Mountains, Moab, Utah, looking north
Photo Credit: Bettymaya Foott

Stars over a new street light

5 Reasons Dark Skies are Important:

1. Saves energy

2. Supports human health

3. Supports ecosystems and wildlife that depend on dark skies 

4. Well designed outdoor lighting can improve public safety

5. Stargazing is an activity people of all ages can enjoy 

Learn more about Light Pollution

• Losing the Dark (video produced by DarkSky International and Loch Ness Productions)

• Lost in Light

• Dark Skies Start at Home 

• Protecting the Night Sky at Your Home and Community

• Interactive Light pollution map 

What can you do to protect Dark Skies?

• Ways to get involved

• Tools for Dark Sky Citizen Scientists