International Dark Sky Week 2025, held from April 21–28, was a global celebration aimed at raising awareness about light pollution and promoting the preservation of our night skies. Founded in 2003 by high school student Jennifer Barlow, the week underscores the importance of dark skies for astronomy, wildlife, human health, and cultural heritage.
Artificial light at night disrupts ecosystems, obscures our view of the stars, and can negatively impact human health. Dark Sky Week encourages communities to adopt responsible lighting practices, helping to conserve energy and protect nocturnal environments.
Across the United States, observatories and communities hosted events to engage the public in stargazing and education:
• Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, Oregon: Featured a lecture on light pollution followed by a telescope viewing party.
• McDonald Observatory, Texas: Offered telescope tours, astrophotography workshops, and lectures on preserving dark skies.
• Prineville Reservoir State Park, Oregon: Hosted telescope viewing sessions focusing on celestial objects like Jupiter and binary star systems.
• Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket: Conducted a free public stargazing night at Loines Observatory, engaging students and families in observing the night sky.
• Badlands Observatory, South Dakota: Organized Dark Sky Tours with guided stargazing experiences using high-quality binoculars.
In Washington State, the Methow Valley hosted a vibrant series of events organized by the Methow Dark Sky Coalition:
• Participants joined retired NASA astrophysicist Tuck Stebbins for a guided night hike at Meadowlark Natural Area.
• Star Party at Idle-a-While Motel: Attendees gathered for a stargazing event featuring telescopic views of planets and deep-sky objects, accompanied by expert commentary.
• Stargazing at Pearrygin Lake State Park: Ranger Alex Ott led a stargazing adventure, exploring constellations and celestial phenomena with community members.
• Educational Talks and Community Engagement: Events included a lecture by cosmologist Dr. Sean Downes on the origin of stars, a dark sky photography exhibit, and local businesses offering themed promotions to support dark sky awareness.
These types of activities are what the Battle Point Observatory is organizing to offer for Dark Sky Week 2026! Join as a member today and let us know which of these activities looks interesting to you. https://bpastro.org/membership-levels/
If you’re interested in learning how to reduce light pollution in your area, feel free to ask for more information or attend one of our upcoming events. https://bpastro.org/events/
