We’re celebrating International Dark-Sky Week with an image from a corner of New Mexico that’s one of the best places to stargaze in the continental United States. Dark-Sky Week is observed during the first new moon of April, when stars shine more brightly because the moon isn’t visible. The event was created to bring attention to the harmful effects of artificial light on the natural world, and to remind us of the beauty of an unadulterated night sky. Light pollution not only impacts our ability to see the stars and to sleep soundly, but also creates challenges for many nocturnal species, migrating birds, and even baby sea turtles. So, turn out those lights, look up, and be amazed at the sky that your great-great-grandparents saw.
Dark skies over New Mexico
Today in History
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Ready. Set. Snow.
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Let’s celebrate
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’Chess on ice’
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Happy birthday to the Peak!
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National Park Week begins
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Rice terraces of Mù Cang Chải, Yên Bái province, Vietnam
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Let the Highland games begin
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Nesting season for the leatherbacks
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Cheese! We ll go somewhere where there s cheese!
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Autumn comes to Old Town
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Cinco de Mayo
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Bridges to the past
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Forward-thinking women of history
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National Gardening Week
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Back to the nest
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Preveli Gorge
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Winter solstice
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Autumnal equinox
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Who created the Easter Bunny?
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Independence Day
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Fighting evil with costumes
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Presidents Day
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Gentoo penguins in Antarctica
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Crescent-tail bigeye fish, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
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Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands
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Everglades National Park turns 75
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Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, England
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Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii