Ever Been to a ‘Dark Sky Park’? There’s One in Tennessee

I know that the Northern Lights were not a hoax. Of COURSE, I realize that. They're an extraordinary astronomical phenomenon we were lucky enough to see TWICE in 2024 in Kentucky. Well, I SAY "we," but I mean "we" as a people. The Kentuckian writing this story never saw them, either time, hard as I tried.

On both occasions, we drove out in the country where no street or security lights could encumber our view, and still...nothing. Lots of folks posted photos, and I can't help but wonder how they managed to have ZERO light pollution where they were, because that's the only thing I can think of as a reason we were left out of Northern Lights viewing.

You know what I should have done, had I known I probably needed to? I should've hauled my cookies to Tennessee and visited its only "dark sky park." Actually, I would have had to have known they exist to do that, but you know what I'm saying.

The purpose of the dark sky park is pretty self-explanatory--a park with almost zero light pollution allowing an unimpeded view of the stars--but here's a visual aid, nonetheless, from Tennessee's only dark sky park, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.

DarkSky International, a non-profit organization whose goal is to preserve "dark places" as a means of encouraging the development of light-pollution-free spaces so that folks can have more meaningful star-gazing experience. Frankly, I think they also sound like a great place to just enjoy some serious quiet time.

DarkSky has also designated International Dark Sky Sanctuaries, Reserves, and Communities. Think about it. Most state parks are closed after dark. Can you think of a better place to travel to view the stars, the Northern Lights, comets, or satellites?

Oh, and, hey, before I go, I want to remind you that Pickett CCC Memorial State Park looks pretty sweet in the daytime, too.

So pack comfortable hiking shoes; you can shove them into the trunk next to the telescope.