Why does Utah have Dark Sky rules and where are these ‘Dark Sky’ areas?

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Many places throughout Utah have “Dark Sky” initiatives, many counties and cities have Dark Sky ordinances, and many Utah state and national parks have both. But what is a “Dark Sky Initiative” or “Dark Sky Ordinance?”

What is a Dark Sky Initiative?

A Dark Sky Initiative is a movement to reduce light pollution to protect the natural night sky. Numerous cities in Utah either have initiatives or ordinances — though Heber City and the Heber Valley region have been in the spotlight lately.

A new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Heber has received a lot of pushback from citizens of the Wasatch after the Wasatch County Council approved the temple last year.

Dark sky initiatives and ordinances have become more and more popular over the years. The NIH noted that light pollution can suppress melatonin and disrupt a person’s circadian rhythm. DarkSky International states that it can lead to sleep disorders as well as depression.

Who compiles and keeps track of these areas?

Dark Sky Places are compiled by the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program. This program “certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education,” the IDSP website says .

Utah is home to the most areas certified as Dark Sky Places in the country. Several more Utah cities outside of Heber also have dark-sky ordinances or initiatives going. Some cities and towns in Utah have been recognized by the IDSP as dark sky communities.

“The Mighty Five” — Utah’s five major National Parks — all are certified as Dark Sky Places. Utah alone as a state has almost 30 designated Dark Sky Places.

Where in the Salt Lake and Utah Valley region can you experience Dark Skies?

If you’re in the Salt Lake or Utah Valley area, there are two places you can go to experience the sight of the night sky for yourself and a few more on the Wasatch back.

In the Salt Lake area, you can go to Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is one of the state parks certified as a dark sky park. If you want to head up into the Wasatch Range and toward the Wasatch back, East Canyon State Park and Jordanelle State Park are your places to be.

For those in the Utah Valley, you can visit Timpanogos Cave National Monument — the park routinely offers night sky programs during the summer, and the cave system can also be toured by visitors. This partnership is aided by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and local astronomy groups.

Other places to go throughout Utah

As previously mentioned, the “Mighty Five” National Parks are certified as Dark Sky Places.

According to the IDSP, other Utah state parks recognized as Dark Sky Places, aside from the three previously mentioned, are:

• Dead Horse Point State Park
• Fremont Indian State Park
• Goblin Valley State Park
• Goosenecks State Park
• Rockport State Park
• Steinaker State Park

A handful of towns, cities, and counties have Dark Sky Initiatives set up. These five cities are certified by the IDSP as Dark Sky Communities:

• Helper
• Springdale
• Torrey
• Moab
• Castle Valley

Lastly, a few national monuments, other than Timpanogos Cave, are also dedicated as Dark Sky Places.

• Cedar Breaks National Monument
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument

If you’ve never seen the night sky in all of its majesty, this is your sign to go and do just that.

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