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This central Oregon town was just certified as an international dark sky community

Oregon is noted for having the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world, as well as the best national park in the US for stargazing, and now, multiple towns are being recognized as official dark sky communities. Sisters was recently certified as an international dark sky community, becoming the latest addition to Oregon's growing list of international dark sky places. Here's what to know about the community and others like it. Sisters, located in central Oregon outside of Bend, was just certified as the second international dark sky community and seventh overall dark sky place in Oregon by DarkSky International, a nonprofit focused on limiting light pollution and restoring the nighttime environment. This designation comes nearly two months after Antelope became Oregon's first international dark sky community. In 2000, Sisters High School introduced an astronomy program that began the city's commitment to dark sky preservation. Since then, the community has worked to educate residents on the importance of dark sky preservation through educational outreach like newsletters, social media, newspaper articles, and community events, according to DarkSky International. The city's certification was the combined results of its updated dark skies outdoor lighting ordinance, astronomy clubs and education, and "secured commitments from city officials to retrofit non-compliant lighting," according to DarkSky International. DarkSky International has designated five different types of dark sky places that can receive certification worldwide. They include dark sky sanctuaries, dark sky reserves, dark sky parks, dark sky communities and urban night sky places. Dark sky sanctuaries are typically in remote, isolated areas with less potential for light pollution. The isolation of dark sky sanctuaries "significantly limits opportunities for public outreach, so a sanctuary designation is specifically designed to increase awareness of these fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation," according to DarkSky International. Dark sky parks are publicly or privately owned land certified based on the exceptional visual quality of stars in the night sky and nocturnal environment "specifically protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment," according to DarkSky International. Find the nearest dark sky places here or at the DarkSky International website, Oregon now has a total of seven dark sky places including: Oregon Outback, eastern Lake County - International Dark Sky Sanctuary Sisters - International Dark Sky Community Antelope - International Dark Sky Community Prineville Reservoir State Park - International Dark Sky Park Cottonwood Canyon State Park - International Dark Sky Park Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve: International Dark Sky Park Sunriver - International Dark Sky Development of Distinction Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@ or on X at @GinnieSandoval. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Sisters becomes second Oregon international dark sky community