Latest news with #DarkSky
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Milky Way season is here: How can you see our galaxy's core from Oklahoma this summer?
Along with summer comes the peak time for viewing the core of our galaxy, the Milky Way. But if you want to see the dense area of stars at the center of the Milky Way, you'll need a few conditions in place for the best view. And we hate to break it to you that while it is "Milky Way season," you won't be able to catch a glimpse of the core while watching fireworks this Fourth of July weekend. Here's what you need to know if you'd like to see the Milky Way this summer. The so-called "Milky Way season," the time of year when the core of our galaxy is visible from Earth, runs from early February to late October. During the rest of the year, from late November through January, the galactic center is not visible as the sun hovers between it and Earth, according to Outside Magazine. The best time to see the Milky Way core from Oklahoma, according to Capture the Atlas, is from late March to late August. More: When is the July full moon? Here's how to see the Buck Moon, learn history In order to see the galaxy core, you'll need extremely dark skies. It can be helpful to use a light pollution map, or check out the list of DarkSky International's certified DarkSky places. The best time of night to view the Milky Way is midnight to 5 a.m., on nights with a new moon. According to Outside Magazine, you should schedule your Milky Way outings between five nights before and after a new moon to avoid the light of the moon affecting your view. The closest certified DarkSky places to Oklahoma City are Copper Breaks State Park in Quanah, Texas, and Lakewood Village, Texas. You can also check out this light pollution map to find a dark enough place in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City falls at a nine, the highest number on the Bortle scale, which measures light pollution. The lower the number, the better. There are some areas in the Panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma with numbers as low as 2.5. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How to see the Milky Way galaxy's core this summer from Oklahoma
National Geographic
02-07-2025
- National Geographic
8 must-do adventures in Namibia
Namibia is a southwestern African nation roughly twice the size of California, known for having the world's oldest desert. The Namib Desert is the scene for many of Namibia's must-do adventures, from hiking up Sossusvlei's distinctive red and orange dunes at sunrise to spending days exploring the Tok Tokkie Trails on foot. Despite the harsh desert conditions, Namibia offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Watch elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, wildebeests, oryx, and other animals congregate at watering holes in Etosha National Park. In other locations, spot desert elephants along dry and ephemeral riverbeds, track rhinos on foot, and learn about conservation work to protect leopards, pangolins, and other species. Travelers should not miss out on these eight experiences when visiting Namibia. (Why you should go to Namibia now.) 1. Hike the Tok Tokkie Trails and sleep under the stars Spend three days hiking and two nights camping under the stars in 'dune beds' along the Tok Tokkie Trails in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Look up at the Magellanic Clouds, Southern Cross, and Milky Way, including its satellite galaxies, while enjoying some of the planet's darkest and least light-polluted skies in Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve. Exploring the desert on foot allows visitors to observe wildlife such as oryx, zebras, and giraffes, as well as to appreciate the wind-carved ripples in the dunes and the tiny tracks left by Tok-Tokkie beetles, geckos, moles, jackals, and other animals. While on car-based safaris, Wilderness Travel guide Peter Nuugonya says it's challenging to see all the fine details of the natural environment, such as mysterious fairy circles or tiny insect tracks left in the sand. However, getting out on foot opens up a new world of exploration. 'If you think of the Namib Desert itself, where the Tok Tokkie Trails are located, the Namib Desert is very rich when it comes to the small creatures,' he says. 2. Track desert elephants Namibia is home to a group of fascinating desert elephants that reside in the Kunene Region, and the best way to see them is to join a guide for a desert tracking experience. Explore dry and ephemeral riverbeds looking for signs of elephants, including enormous footprints and fresh piles of dung. If you're lucky and find an elephant—or a group of them—you can watch them munch on trees and even interact in family groups. The area is also breathtakingly quiet, and NamibRand Nature Reserve was designated Africa's first Wilderness Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International in 2024.'You can hear your heartbeat at times,' says Nuugonya. (Desert hikes and camping under the stars on a budget safari in Namibia) 3. Hike the Sossusvlei dunes at sunrise Watch the sun rise while hiking some of the world's most impressive dunes at Sossusvlei. As the sun climbs in the sky, the dunes transform with brilliant shades of red, orange, and ochre, and early morning is the perfect time for hikers to ascend before the day gets too warm. Wind creates an ever-changing array of ripples and shapes in the dunes, which get their distinctive color from iron oxide. After topping a dune, you can head back down and spend some time exploring Deadvlei to see the gnarled camel thorn trees set against the white clay pan and red dunes. 4. See ancient rock art at a UNESCO World Heritage site Travelers should add a visit to the Twyfelfontein rock engraving site in Namibia's Kunene Region to explore the country's Indigenous people and their culture. Photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic Image Collection Gaze at ancient rock art that dates back to the Late Stone Age at Twyfelfontein, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The site is home to an extensive collection of rock art, including engravings and paintings, believed to have been created by the Indigenous San people. See art depicting rhinos, elephants, ostriches, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife, along with a few images of humans, and an impressive collection of human and animal footprints. Short hiking trails and viewing platforms provide good vantage points for a fascinating peek into this open-air gallery. (Eight ultimate adventures for every ability in Namibia) 5. Track leopards and pangolins at Okonjima Nature Reserve Visit Okonjima Nature Reserve for a chance to track leopards and pangolins and learn about conservation and research projects on-site. The 55,000-acre reserve is a research area for leopards, brown hyenas, pangolins, and other species. Sign up for a leopard tracking excursion to accompany a guide in a vehicle and use telemetry to track leopards. The technology makes spotting them easier. Guides also record data about the animals and their behavior. You can opt for pangolin tracking in the late afternoon or evening, among other options. Several lodging options are available on-site, including Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp and Okonjima Plains Camp. This reserve is also home to the AfriCat Foundation. Since 1991, the foundation has worked to help farmers and wildcats coexist, and today, researchers and veterinarians collaborate to save the cats. 6. Witness world-class wildlife viewing at Etosha National Park The 1,800-square-mile Etosha Pan is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection A lioness and her two cubs rest in the shade at Etosha National Park. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection A young Leopard hides in the tall grass at Etosha National Park. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection The Etosha Pan is so large that it can be seen from space. This 1,800-square-mile salt pan is home to numerous watering holes where wildlife gather in Etosha National Park. Take a tour or drive yourself to this northern Namibia park, but be aware that you will need to remain in your car for your safety, except at designated fenced rest areas. Watch from your vehicle as animals congregate around watering holes, taking the time to enjoy the elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, oryx, zebra, oryx, lions, cheetahs, and more. 7. Take a game drive in Ongava Private Reserve Go for a game drive in the 74,000-acre Ongava Private Reserve to see rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants, jackals, impalas, zebras, and a variety of other wildlife. The reserve is situated near Etosha National Park, and offers sundown game drives, waterholes near accommodations, and is also home to the Ongava Research Centre. 8. Track rhinos on foot with dedicated rangers In Namibia, a group of dedicated rangers from the Save the Rhino Trust works to protect rhinos from poachers in the Kunene Region, and it is sometimes possible to join them on foot to see a rhino. If rangers spot a rhino, guides bring guests—clad in neutral clothing without any shiny objects—to see them, walking low to the ground and stepping as quietly as possible for a peek at the animals. (Learning to protect Namibia's endangered rhinos on a new conservation bootcamp) This trip was created with the support of Wilderness Travel. GO WITH NAT GEO: Travel with National Geographic Journeys and seek out endangered black rhinos through Etosha National Park in Namibia." For more info, check out our Journeys: Wonders of Namibia. Kristen Pope is a freelance writer based near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, who covers adventure travel, outdoor recreation, astrotourism, wildlife, conservation, and science.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Streetleaf Is Now Illuminating Texas
Solar-Powered Streetlights To Be Installed At Lennar Community in Fort Worth Streetleaf is now illuminating Texas. Solar-powered streetlights will be installed at a Lennar Community in Fort Worth. Streetleaf is now illuminating Texas. Solar-powered streetlights will be installed at a Lennar Community in Fort Worth. Dallas, Texas, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Streetleaf, the leading provider of solar-powered streetlight services in the United States, today announced that the company now has a footprint in Texas. The company will now be illuminating streets in Fort Worth, Texas, through an agreement with Lennar to light its Eagles Crossing community. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Streetleaf's mission to provide a dependable and cost-effective alternative to traditional on-grid services for communities across the country. 'We're proud to expand our partnership with Lennar and bring our streetlight systems to more communities across the Southwest—especially in the great state of Texas,' said Liam Ryan, CEO of Streetleaf. 'As demand for smarter, more reliable technology grows across every industry, our streetlights represent a meaningful leap forward in a product people count on for safety and comfort.' Streetleaf is installing 29 solar-powered lights in Eagles Crossing, each designed for performance, resilience, and sustainability. The lights are DarkSky compliant, fully off-grid, and powered by 100% renewable energy—meaning they stay on even during power outages. Engineered to withstand winds up to 160 mph, they're built for long-term reliability, with 24/7 monitoring and routine maintenance included. 'At Lennar, we're always looking for smart, sustainable solutions that add long-term value to our communities,' said Gregory Urech, President of Land, at Lennar. 'Streetleaf's off-grid lighting not only enhances safety and resilience in Eagles Crossing, but also aligns with our commitment to building for the future.' Streetleaf will continue to expand its footprint in Texas over the coming months. For more information about Streetleaf, please visit: ABOUT STREETLEAF Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Streetleaf specializes in integrating modern, renewable technology into communities through one of the most essential yet often-overlooked features—streetlights. Since its founding in 2019, Streetleaf has installed over 10,000 lights across the country, from Florida to California, and is rapidly growing to meet the rising demand for resilient, sustainable solutions. Streetleaf uses high-quality, dependable and proprietary hardware, software, and service to partner with land developers, builders, municipalities, utilities, and HOAs to create safer, greener communities. A carbon-neutral certified company, Streetleaf is also Darksky approved, and has offset more than 4 million pounds of CO2 and counting. Learn more at Streetleaf is now illuminating Texas. Solar-powered streetlights will be installed at a Lennar Community in Fort Worth. Streetleaf is now illuminating Texas. Solar-powered streetlights will be installed at a Lennar Community in Fort Worth. CONTACT: Carson Quinn ZindseyMEDIA for Streetleaf 312.339.9779 carson@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Strawberry moon 2025: When will June's full moon rise and how to see it
The world is about to be treated to a rare kind of 'Strawberry Moon ' when it rises in the sky tonight. It will reach its fullest moment on the evening of 10 June and into the morning of the 11th, though will be visible for a few days afterwards. It will rise in the evening as normal and should be easily visible in the night sky. Unlike other celestial spectacles, it doesn't need any particular preparation or equipment – seeing the pink moon just means going out and looking up. There are ways to make the process a little easier, however. It might be useful to look up the exact time of moonrise, for instance, and apps such as Dark Sky can be used to locate where the Moon is sitting in the sky. The 'Strawberry Moon' name doesn't refer to anything about the Moon itself. Instead, it is just the name given to June's full moon, and is apparently taken from the fact that it tends to appear around harvesting season for the fruit. But it may appear a little pink. This month's Moon will be relatively near the horizon, and when that happens the light that hits it can be scattered through our Earth's atmosphere, giving the planet a red, orange or pink tinge. This month's Moon is also notable for another reason. It will sit very low in the sky – known as a 'major lunar standstill' – which only happens every 19 years. When the Moon is low in the sky, it appears larger because of the contrast with the objects visible on the horizon. The effect can actually mean that it looks much bigger than at the times it gets the name ' supermoon ', when it is closer to us but can appear smaller if it is high in the sky.
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Family travel 5: Dark Sky vacations bring new meaning to starstruck
Astrotourism is on the rise. Here are five places to sample a cosmic experience. Beaver Island, Michigan For super stargazing, make your way to this pristine island in the middle of northern Lake Michigan. Far away from city lights, visitors are treated to unparalleled views of meteor showers, comets, Zodiacal light and even the northern lights. Stargazers are captivated by the celestial wonders the 55 square-mile sanctuary makes possible. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere site, the island also provides crucial habitat for migratory birds. Ferries depart the mainland town of Charlevoix, carrying passengers and cars, for the day or for longer stays. The two-hour trip is best reserved in advance. On the island, hotels, motels and small inns as well as restaurants and recreational boat rentals are available. For more: Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, this scenic landscape was among the first to receive the International Dark Sky Park certification. Massive natural bridges, named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu, form star-filled windows through which you can observe the skies as the Pueblo people did some 800 years ago. Among the most spectacular sights is the river of Milky Way brilliance observed rising over Owachomo Bridge. The goal of this and other Dark Sky Parks is to educate the public about light pollution and how each of us can make a difference. For more: Colorado by night Colorado is home to eight International Dark Sky Parks and five International Dark Sky Communities. Check out Colorado's self-guided stargazing tour to craft your own curated, celestial tour. Westcliffe and Silver Cliff in the state's Wet Mountain Valley are considered among the highest elevation of all International Dark Sky Communities in the world. The valley sits between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west and the Wet Mountains to the east, providing dramatic views in every direction. Don't miss the Smokey Jack Observatory which boasts a retractable roof and 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain and 5-inch refractor telescopes with computer-guided pointing and tracking to view the majestic night sky. Ask about the free public star parties held throughout the year. Check out Westcliffe's Main Street Planet Walk, an interpretive, self-guided walking adventure of a 4 billion-to-one scale model of the entire Solar System. For more: Lago Titicaca, Peru The Andean Altiplano may be among the best places for stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere. Geographical factors such as its isolation, high altitude and dry climate all come together to offer pristine clear skies, where visitors can revel in the wonder of the constellations even with a naked eye. Stargazing in Peru offers more than an indulgence in the beauty of the cosmos. It's an opportunity to learn more about the ancient Incan civilization. The Incas - one of the most advanced civilizations in ancient times - had great faith in the stars and an unwavering devotion to astronomical events. Lake Titicaca holds spiritual significance for the ancient Inca and modern Quechua. Thus, a stargazing experience in Titicaca offers a textured multicultural adventure. For more: Flagstaff, Arizona Expect stellar stargazing as well as the chance to tour the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, the first to be designated a Dark Sky City by the International Dark-Sky Association. See the telescope via which Pluto was discovered in the 1930s and peer through the century-old Clark Telescope. Ask about the small group private stargazing option to experience the universe up-close with the museum's state-of-the-art 24-inch Dyer Telescope. Located just 80 miles from the Grand Canyon and close to seven other parks and monuments, this college town offers a long list of options for family travelers. At 7,000 feet, you'll enjoy a full range of sports by day including hiking and biking amid ponderosa pines. Tap into the history that combines the nostalgia of Route 66, the historic 'Mother Road' that bisects the town, as well as the rich legacy of the old west and the Native American culture. For more: ___________ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
