Lightscape / Night Sky

Night Skies

Have you ever experienced the dark? True, complete, dark? Due to the abundance of artificial light in modern day society, total darkness is rare. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is one of the darkest places in the eastern United States, offering a unique night sky experience. Complete darkness is an important piece of a functioning natural and cultural environment. Nocturnal animals, or animals active at night, rely on darkness to hunt. Plants require time without sun to perform cell recovery. Stars hold cultural significance to Wabanaki Nations who have lived in the area since time immemorial. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is dedicated to the preservation of dark skies and recognizes their importance as an integral part of the region’s environment and culture. Learn more about the night sky and how the monument protects it below.

International Dark Sky Sanctuary

In 2020, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was certified as an International Darky Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International. KAWW is only the second location in the National Park Service to receive a DarkSky certification, and the first on the eastern seaboard. Within all 87,000 acres of monument territory, there are no commercial power sources. Learn more about the monument's commitment to the night sky on DarkSky International’s website.

Light Scale

Darkness is measured in two ways. One is on a nine-step spectrum called the Bortle Scale. This scale was invented for use by the average astronomer making observations with the naked eye, with 1 meaning no light pollution and 9 meaning extreme light pollution. The other is the SQM scale, measured in magnitudes per square arcsecond. A typical range is 16.00 for a polluted sky to 22.00 for a pitch dark one.

How Dark is the Dark?

Each year, employees venture into the monument to take night sky light readings. With the help of a Sky Quality Meter, or SQM, staff measure light levels at a series of specific locations. Using the same locations each year allows the monument to accurately compare light levels. Staff take light levels at particular times each year to reduce variability. The new moon, when moonlight is not visible from Earth, provides the perfect opportunity to take readings when the sky is darkest. The darkest skies receive a score of 22. At Katahdin Woods and Waters, scores often exceed 21.5!

Night Vision

An important component to proper night sky viewing is night vision. Human eyes are not particularly well adapted to low light, unlike other animals in the monument. It takes up to half an hour for human eyes to adapt to the dark. Eyes require a special chemical to adjust to nighttime vision, a chemical the body only creates after sensing complete darkness for approximately 30 minutes. Shining any type of light at your eyes will disrupt this process. In order to preserve night vision, try swapping white lights for red ones. Red light does not trigger a disruption in this chemical process, allowing for continued night vision.

Stargazing

Constellations

Constellations, or groupings of stars with assigned names, are visible year-round. As the seasons change, so do visible stars and planets. KAWW’s dark sky provides the rare opportunity to spot hundreds of constellations year-round. Refer to NASA’s webpage for more information about upcoming astronomical events.

Northern Lights

Katahdin Woods and Waters sits at the northeastern- most part of the continental United States, sometimes providing the unique opportunity to view the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that cause a series of green, purple, and pink lights to appear on select evenings. The aurora happens as particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. While your chances of seeing the aurora are heightened at KAWW, it is still a rare to experience this natural wonder. Clear skies and a high Kp (geomagnetic scale) reading increase your chances to see them.

Use this monitoring system from the University of Alaska Fairbanks to check the aurora forecast.

For more information about stargazing within the monument, visit the stargazing page.

Tips for Success

Want to be a successful astronomer? Here are a few things you can do to prepare.

Plan Your Trip in Advance

Find locations within the monument from which you’d like to observe the night sky and plan your route in advance. It is recommended to arrive at your viewing location as the sun sets, and to stay overnight at a campsite. Reservations can be made here on Recreation.gov through October 31st. Select ski and snowshoe only sites are available through the winter months.

Avoid night driving when possible. While beautiful, dark skies increase chances of animal collisions and navigation difficulties. Please make sure you are in a safe viewing location free of motor traffic before stargazing.

Check the Weather

Check that the sky is clear! Cloudy skies can greatly diminish or eliminate chances of seeing the stars. Check weather conditions for the monument and surrounding area. Use this page from the National Weather Service to prepare.

Bring a Red Light

Red lights help preserve night vision, allowing you to see stars. Bring red lights, headlamps, and lanterns to provide visible light without negatively impacting stargazing.

Check NASA’s Sky Readings

Use NASA’s website to explore upcoming astronomical events. Use this page to find out more about skies at the monument, or near you.

Junior Ranger Night Explorer

Become a night explorer! Download your own copy of the Junior Ranger Night Explorer book here!

Light Pollution

Light pollution is the excess of artificial light that alters natural outdoor light levels. Places with an abundance of artificial lights, such as cities, produce enough light that the night sky is not visible. Light pollution has a negative impact on the ecosystem in many ways. Light creates barriers for habitat, especially for prey animals. Creatures such as bats and mice will avoid well-lit areas, as they become easier targets for predators. Artificial light also impacts migratory birds, who rely on natural light to navigate. Birds sometimes crash into buildings by the hundreds when they become confused by artificial lights. Artificial lights that remain on 24 hours a day pose the largest threat to dark skies. Continuous LED light disrupts natural internal processes, such as an organism’s internal clock. Excessive light can create confusion, disrupt sleep cycles, and impact behavior in a variety of animals, including humans.

How You Make a Difference

Artificial light is everywhere, but simple adjustments can make major differences. Use these principles to inform your lighting at home.

• Light only if needed
• Light only when needed
• Light only where needed
• Use warm light
• Use the minimum amount of light needed
• Use energy efficient lights

By following these easy steps, you can make an immediate difference.

Get Involved

Create positive change! Spread information about the importance of dark skies and direct others to resources about light pollution. By turning off, dimming, or changing lights, you can have a direct impact on light pollution in your area. For more information about how you can participate in community science, visit DarkSky’s website.