The Town and The City Festival in Lowell, Tucson's new Astro Trail, and a watch geared to runners
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Sign up for Tucson's new (and free) Astro Trail guide and use it to explore the area's stunning night sky preserves and other astronomical attractions, including the newly reopened Kitt Peak National Observatory (pictured here).
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Explore Tucson's new Astro Trail
Visit observatories, dark sky preserves, science centers, a planetarium, and numerous other space-related sites along greater Tucson's new Astro Trail. The Tucson area, which has the headquarters for Dark Sky International (formerly the International Dark Sky Association), has been known as a stargazer's haven ever since regional officials enacted light pollution ordinances in the 1970s. Sign up for the new free Astro Trail guide and use it to explore the area's stunning night sky views and astronomical attractions. Highlights include the Pima Air and Space Museum, which is one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world; the newly reopened Kitt Peak National Observatory, which is home to one of the largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes in the world; the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, which recently opened its new Universe of Science exhibit, focusing on the human brain, a monsoon storm, and deep space; and Saguaro National Park, one of only two national parks to receive an Urban Night Sky Place designation. Also see a sample of the Bennu asteroid at the Gem and Mineral Museum (one of only three public places where a piece of this asteroid can be viewed), visit the newly reopened and renovated Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Visitor and Science Center, and enjoy immersive stargazing programs and astronomy camps through the Mount Lemmon Skycenter, which offers access to two of the largest public telescopes in the southwest. Sign up for the guide online and then receive a mobile passport (through a text link) that lists all exhibits, attractions, and astronomical-related destinations, and discounts to local restaurants and sites.
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Amazfit's Cheetah Pro GPS watch is made for runners.
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A watch geared to runners
Whether you're running on routes near home or exploring a new destination — for fun or training — check out Amazfit's Cheetah Pro watch, which is made for runners. The lightweight watch has exceptional GPS technology that helps track your movements when running through forests or cities with tall buildings. Download color maps and routes from the Zepp app so you can accurately navigate new runs even in offline mode. Also store your favorite route and then track your improvement on that route over time. The watch tracks heart rate, stress, sleep, and oxygen saturation so you can train better and run smarter. It also offers AI-powered coaching that provides personalized training input to help you improve over time, and adjusts your workout schedule each week based on your progress (so you don't overtrain and to help you reach your race or training goals). Create templates on the watch for interval training and use those to easily guide you through workouts. Store songs on the Cheetah Pro so you can run with music. The Cheetah Pro has an ultra-bright, easy-to-read, and durable (Gorilla Glass 3) screen, a nylon strap, and a battery that lasts up to 14 days (but requires a proprietary plug to recharge). Choose from a selection of watch face themes and opt for a daily morning update that provides the current weather, your sleep data, and the watch's battery power. Currently $159.99.
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National Geographic
17-07-2025
- National Geographic
Here's why stargazers are flocking to the Oregon Outback
Southeast Oregon is a patchwork of high desert, mountains, and volcanic landscape, stitched together by river canyons and long stretches of solitude. When darkness falls on clear nights across this region, visitors can watch a shimmering blanket of stars emerge. In March 2024, The 2.4-million-acre Oregon Outback officially became the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world. DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to preserving dark places to mitigate the harmful effects of pervasive light pollution, has awarded the designation to Lake County, home to nearly 500,000 residents. This special recognition marks the first phase of the proposed Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary, which upon completion, could expand to 11.4 million acres. (A practical guide to stargazing) Community effort for a dark sky sanctuary "From a local government point of view, it's a question of managing how much tourism can we actually accommodate before it becomes cumbersome," says James Williams, a Lake County Commissioner, who ensured that residents' concerns were heard during the dark sky sanctuary application process. He was just one of many imporant people who helped make the Oregon Outback an international dark sky sanctuary. Bob Hackett, director of Travel Southern Oregon, first proposed the idea for a sanctuary after noticing the increasing popularity of dark sky tourism. To Hackett, it was a good opportunity to draw attention to the natural beauty of this remote region in Oregon. However, some locals were afraid that sanctuary status would impose restrictions on private land, particularly on ranching and farming activity. However, conversations eased residents' concerns once there were no foreseeable restrictions on private property. Some changes were necessary for public land. A light management plan would protect the existing darkness. As the plan evolved, Hackett says, 'We just kept checking in with people and making sure everyone was on board.' A light management plan provides straightforward guidance for public places, such as motion-activated lights and positioning light fixtures downward. Different governing bodies, including the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, manage the Oregon Outback; so, the designation as a dark sky sanctuary required extensive collaboration across agencies. It took five years and six light management drafts to get all parties on board and the application approved. (These are the best stargazing sites in North America) Stargazers can witness the awe of a starry summer night and the Milky Way high above the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Photograph By Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection How to reach the Oregon Outback Stargazers looking for city comforts can make Bend their home base, where they'll find plenty of options for food, hotels, and access to outdoor adventures, like rock climbing and hiking. Most visitors fly to Portland and then drive three hours to Bend, but flying into Redmond Municipal Airport is another option. It's 16 miles north of Bend with direct flights to many U.S. cities in the West. Road trippers can make the 40-mile drive from Bend to Fort Rock, a tuff ring or low, wide, bowl-shaped volcanic crater located on an Ice Age lakebed. Fort Rock is technically outside of sanctuary bounds, but it's a stunning location for stargazing. Visitors may want to consider booking a stargazing tour with Wanderlust Tours, which offers tours from Bend to Fort Rock with expert guides, who provide insight into the region's landscape and the night sky. Tourists enjoy dinner and drinks at a picnic area with a view of Fort Rock as the sun dips below the horizon—and then the light show, the Milky Way, reveals itself in the sky. (10 of the best places for stargazing in the UK) Tourists can also stay in Lakeview and Paisley, Ore., two small towns at the edge of the sanctuary, and both have several motels that provide guests easy access to venture out for stargazing. Located outside of Paisley, Summer Lake Hot Springs has cozy, rustic cabins and camping facilities. Guests also have access to on-site outdoor and indoor mineral spring pools. Travelers visiting the Oregon Outback for stargazing can make the city of Bend their home base with options for food, hotels, and other outdoor activities. Photograph By Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, a sanctuary for American pronghorn and other wildlife, has three established campgrounds with vault toilets, which provides a remote camping experience for those seeking it. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are free of charge. Backcountry hiking requires a permit; please note that fires are not allowed. In addition to the aforementioned places, Southeast Oregon has several hiking trails that lead to campgrounds and or scenic overlooks, such as the 750-mileOregon Desert Trail, which stretches across the Oregon Outback. You can hike short portions from Paisley, Lakeview, or Valley Falls to find secluded darkness, but only experienced backcountry hikers should take on this trail, where cellphone service is not available. The eastern portion of Fremont-Winema National Forest features several trails, ranging in skill level from the easy 4.4-mile Lake of the Woods Area Trail to the challenging 4.6-mile Mount McLoughlin Trail. (10 of the dreamiest stargazing trains in the U.S.) In addition to stargazing, travelers can visit the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, a sanctuary for American pronghorn and other wildlife. Photograph By Michael Durham/Minden Pictures How to be a responsible dark sky tourist Travelers visiting the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary should plan ahead. First, tourists visiting the area should establish their comfort level when choosing a place to stay. Do you want to stay in a motel in a small town after a night of stargazing to sleep in a comfortable bed? Do you want to bring everything you need to camp without cell service or running water? Some remote locations lack readily available emergency service. 'Our search and rescue is entirely volunteer,' says Williams. 'If you get stuck on backroads or lost on trails, it might take us a while to come find you.' Know your limits when it comes to how far you venture, the lay of the land (expected terrain), and the weather you might encounter along the way. Map out gas stations and note their operating hours, and as responsible travelers, be mindful to leave natural spaces as you found them. 'It's a good idea to brush up on Leave No Trace principles,' says Courtney Braun, co-owner and guide at Wanderlust Tours. 'A lot of the Outback doesn't have facilities like bathrooms, so you need plans for a toilet system.' While visiting the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in southeast Oregon, visitors can take a dip in a natural hot spring. Photograph By Greg Vaughn/Alamy Bring a headlamp with a red-light option, which preserves night vision and won't disrupt wildlife. Minimize the use of lights at night while prioritizing safety. In addition to respecting the land and the dark, it's important to respect the people who call this place home. 'When you see a fence that says no trespassing—it's probably a good idea not to trespass,' says Williams. Travel Southern Oregon's website also provides information about the Oregon Outback and best practices when visiting. (Big Sky, brighter stars: Why Montana is 2025's ultimate stargazing destination) Britany Robinson is a freelance journalist covering travel and the environment from the shoreline of Connecticut, where she also writes essays and obituaries. Follow her on Instagram.
Indianapolis Star
01-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
July's full moon rises in Indiana soon. Here the best time to watch it in Indianapolis
Less than a week after fireworks light up Indiana's night sky, a different celestial object will brighten your evening: the full moon. The Milky Way is also visible from now through August so long as you can find a dark enough spot to view it. Here's what skywatchers should know. Thursday, July 10, 2025, is when the full Buck Moon charges its way into the night sky, according to NASA. The moon's phases in July are: Story continues after photo gallery. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 9:39 p.m. Thursday, July 10, crossing the meridian at 1:19 a.m. before setting at 5:46 a.m. Friday. You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer's Almanac online. Skies around Central Indiana could be cloudy Thursday night, July 10, with temperatures around 68 in the evening, according to an advanced forecast from AccuWeather. Midwest weather tends to be fickle, however, so keep your fingers crossed for clearer skies. And in case you miss it Thursday, look up again Friday or Saturday night, when the moon will still be 99% and 97% full, respectively. A male deer, or buck's antlers were in full growth mode around this time in July, writes the Old Farmer's Almanac. Other names for July's full moon from Native American tribes include the Salmon Moon, Thunder Moon, and Halfway Summer Moon. The Milky Way can best be viewed somewhere far away from bright city lights. Find a dark, safe spot out in the country where you can see more stars in the sky. If possible, head to Beverly Shores, near Gary, which is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place for stargazing. You can also travel to Kemil Beach at Indiana Dunes State Park and Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, which also are designated dark sky locations, according to DarkSky International. According to NASA, traces of the Milky Way will appear as a "faint, cloud-like band arching across the sky toward the south." The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations. The full Sturgeon Moon should reach peak illumination by Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. When is the next full moon?: When every full moon shines in 2025. Dates, times and the history behind each name.
CNN
24-06-2025
- CNN
Protecting our night skies from light pollution
Light pollution, the term for the brightening of the night sky by unnatural lights, is increasing globally. In North America, only 20% of people can see the Milky Way, generally in rural areas, like Zion National Park, Utah, pictured. Royce L. Bair/DarkSky International Experts say the solutions to light pollution can be as simple as installing better quality lighting. Recommendations involve keeping lighting low to the ground, targeting it to avoid light leaking in all directions, and, if possible, ensuring it has a long wavelength, typically observed as amber-colored. In this picture, the streetlights in Tucson, Arizona, do not leak into the sky, maintaining its natural darkness. Bettymaya Foott DarkSky International is a body advocating for the mitigation of light pollution, and awarding Dark Sky accreditation to communities that follow its recommendations. Pictured, the sky above the town of Castle Valley, Utah, an International Dark Sky Community. Around 250 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, the town allows no commercial lighting and fully shielded light fixtures have been required by ordinance since 1991. It received Dark Sky accreditation in 2024. Bettymaya Foott Nearly 300 areas in 22 countries are now accredited. Pictured, a stargazer observes the Milky Way in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, a Dark Sky Park. The Park, located in a remote corner of the Colorado Plateau, is known for its thousands of pinnacle-shaped rock formations, locally known as 'goblins.' Bettymaya Foott The Milky Way over the Grand Canyon National Park, a Dark Sky Park that attracts millions of visitors every year. In 2019, the park completed a project to change all its 5,000 light fixtures to comply with DarkSky's requirements. It was awarded full status in June that year. Royce Bair Night sky over Bamburgh Castle, near Northumberland National Park, UK, a Dark Sky reserve. Just south of Hadrian's Wall, the Park is one of the darkest locations in England, according to Dark Sky International. Mark McNeill
