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USA's Pennsylvania boasts one of its top spots for beholding the starlit night sky at this park

Unveiling one of America's most pristine locations for stargazing, Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania offers a unique opportunity to witness the Milky Way's splendor, despite its melancholic moniker.

U.S. Night Sky Viewing Spots: Pennsylvania Park Stands Out as a Top Choice for Stargazing
U.S. Night Sky Viewing Spots: Pennsylvania Park Stands Out as a Top Choice for Stargazing

USA's Pennsylvania boasts one of its top spots for beholding the starlit night sky at this park

Cherry Springs State Park: A Beacon for Stargazers

Nestled in the north of Pennsylvania, Cherry Springs State Park stands as a testament to the beauty of the natural world. This 82-acre haven, located at an elevation of 2,300 feet above sea level, is no ordinary park. It is a Dark Sky Park, a designation bestowed upon it by DarkSky International, a global organisation that champions the preservation of dark night skies from light pollution.

With 160 Dark Sky-designated places in the United States and over 230 worldwide, Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, is a shining example. It was the second park in the world to attain this prestigious title.

The park's remote location atop a mountain and its surrounding 262,000 acres of relatively undeveloped forest, the Susquehannock State Forest, serve as natural barriers against urban light pollution. This isolation, combined with the park's strict lighting protocols, ensures that Cherry Springs State Park offers some of the darkest skies in the world.

The park enforces specific rules to maintain its exceptional darkness. Visitors are encouraged to minimise artificial lighting during nighttime observation sessions. If necessary, only red-filtered light sources should be used. Bright white lights are discouraged, and flash photography or bright portable lights are best avoided.

The park infrastructure follows carefully designed lighting with shielded fixtures and low-intensity bulbs pointed downwards to prevent upward light spill. All white lights within the park have been replaced with red lights.

These practices, when combined, work synergistically to maintain Cherry Springs as one of the darkest night sky destinations in the eastern United States, offering optimal stargazing conditions. Visitors are advised to prepare accordingly by bringing red lights or covered flashlights and following all park guidelines to protect the dark sky experience.

Certification by DarkSky International signifies the importance of preserving and protecting dark night skies from light pollution. By visiting Cherry Springs State Park, stargazers not only enjoy a breathtaking view of the cosmos but also contribute to the conservation of this precious natural resource.

[1] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources [2] DarkSky International [3] International Dark-Sky Association [4] National Park Service [5] Cherry Springs State Park Observatory

In light of its designation as a Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, Cherry Springs State Park offers a unique opportunity for stargazers to immerse themselves in the wonders of space-and-astronomy, far from the illuminated urban landscape. When not stargazing, visitors can explore the park's home-and-garden-inspired infrastructure, designed with energy-efficient lighting to foster an atmosphere of outdoor-living that sits in harmony with the park's environment.

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