DarkSky International

08/20/2026

Big news from Australia’s Outback!

Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve has been designated the Northern Territory’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and only the third in Australia!

Renowned for its iconic granite boulders, exceptionally dark skies, rich biodiversity, and profound cultural significance to the Kaytetye, Warumungu, Warlpiri, and Alyawarra Traditional Owners, Karlu Karlu is a remarkable place where protecting the night also helps protect culture, nature, and heritage.

Congratulations to the Department of Tourism and Hospitality who led the submission process with support from the Reserve’s Traditional Owners, Central Land Council, Barkly Regional Council, Tourism Central Australia, and the Devils Marbles Hotel. ✨ Visit https://bit.ly/4hGWZ6q to learn more.

📷 Photo by Tourism & Events NT/

08/19/2026

Welcome to the International Dark Sky Places family, Frisco!

Nestled between the Tenmile Range and Dillon Reservoir, Frisco is taking meaningful action to protect its spectacular mountain nights. Through responsible outdoor lighting, ongoing night-sky monitoring, community education, and public outreach, Frisco is helping reduce light pollution while benefiting wildlife, residents, and visitors alike.

Congratulations to the Town of Frisco on this important milestone, and on its commitment to keeping the Rockies dark and the stars shining bright for generations to come. Learn more about their International Dark Sky Community certification: https://bit.ly/4hMitPj

📷 Photo by Joe Kusumoto

08/18/2026

There’s more than one way to protect the night.

Whether you’re ready to take action in your community or simply want to stay connected, there’s a place for you at DarkSky.

✨ Become a DarkSky Advocate and help raise awareness about light pollution and responsible outdoor lighting.
🌎 Join a local Chapter and connect with others working to protect the night where you live.
💫 Become a DarkSky member and support our work to preserve dark skies around the world.
📬 Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest dark sky news, resources, events, and ways to take action delivered to your inbox.

Ready to get involved? Find the path that’s right for you and join the global movement to protect the night: https://bit.ly/4m3Qo5j

📷 Photo by Emanuele Balboni

08/17/2026

What does an astro-travel journalist pack for a night under the stars?

We asked Megan Eaves, travel journalist, astro-tourism expert, and opening keynote speaker at our Under One Sky global conference, to give us a peek inside her bag.

From a sky quality meter and planisphere to a DSLR, headlamp, hiking shoes, and even a UV flashlight for spotting scorpions, Megan’s kit is built for adventures after dark.

What’s in Megan’s bag?
✔️ JOBY Compact Action Tripod
✔️ Salomon Saliba hiking shoes
✔️ Energizer HDL60 Hybrid Red Light Headlamp
✔️ Laser pointer for pointing out constellations
✔️ UV flashlight for finding scorpions
✔️ JOBY Gorillapod flexible phone tripod
✔️ Unihedron SQM-L sky quality meter
✔️ Insect repellent
✔️ Canon EOS 2000D DSLR + EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lens
✔️ Wool hat + touch-screen gloves
✔️ Solar power bank
✔️ Wired earphones + a stargazing playlist
✔️ Philip’s Planisphere

On her phone: SkyView, My Moon Phase, Milky Way Tonight, My Altitude, and Apple Compass.

Catch Megan as the opening keynote speaker at Under One Sky and get inspired to plan your own adventure under the stars. Visit https://bit.ly/4qmiBHw to register. ✨

📷 Photo of Megan taken under the stars by Alejandro Sommer.

08/16/2026

Under One Sky tickets are LIVE! 🌎✨

Join DarkSky for Under One Sky, our global conference bringing together a growing international community dedicated to protecting dark skies and the nighttime environment.

This year, we’ll explore how we can navigate an ever-changing world shaped by growing light pollution, satellite proliferation, and other emerging challenges. Let's build a future where balance is restored and the night can thrive.

24 hours. One global community. One shared night.

Join us for a virtual journey around the world featuring practical workshops to strengthen your advocacy, global storytelling sessions to inform and inspire, and opportunities to connect with people working to protect the night across the globe.

Early bird tickets are $25 USD through August 29.

Visit https://bit.ly/4qmiBHw to get your ticket and join us Under One Sky!

📷 Photo by Fefo Bouvier

08/15/2026

Dark sky-friendly lighting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! 🌙💡

Join DarkSky staff for a practical, hands-on session featuring DIY hacks, simple swaps, smart controls, and creative workarounds you can use to reduce light pollution at home and in your community.

We’ll put the 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting into action, share solutions that work for renters and tricky spaces, and wrap up with a community show-and-tell, live Q&A, and networking.

Have a dark sky-friendly hack of your own? Bring your photos and ideas to share!

🗓 Date: August 19th, 2026
🕕 Time: 11:30 a.m. PDT
🔗 Become an advocate to register: https://bit.ly/3WhIpam

08/13/2026

This year, a record-breaking 2,288 photos from more than 30 countries captured the wonder of the night. From breathtaking Milky Way landscapes to elusive nocturnal wildlife, we are THRILLED to share the winning images with you!

They say a photograph is worth a thousand words. With over 2,400 entries, from over 22 countries, together we’ve created a powerful story of the night…

08/13/2026

This year, a record-breaking 2,288 photos from more than 30 countries captured the wonder of the night. From breathtaking Milky Way landscapes to elusive nocturnal wildlife, we are THRILLED to share the winning images with you!

Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to every photographer who helped advocate for the night. Your photos truly capture the beauty and importance of protecting our dark skies.

Visit the link in our bio to see all the winning photos!

08/12/2026

What an exciting day for the night! 🌑✨

Today’s total solar eclipse sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Spain and Portugal, followed by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower—visible across much of the world and made even more spectacular by the dark skies of a New Moon.

Wherever you are, we hope this serves as a reminder to step outside, look up, experience the wonder of the night, and join us in protecting it.

🎥 Video by Jack Fusco

08/12/2026

Finland has its first International Dark Sky Park!

DarkSky is proud to welcome Syrjävaara Dark Sky Center in Eastern Finland to the International Dark Sky Places program.

Set within 90 hectares of boreal landscape near the Arctic border, Syrjävaara has demonstrated an inspiring commitment to protecting natural darkness, reducing light pollution, and connecting people with the night through education, research, and astrotourism.

This historic landscape now joins more than 270 certified places worldwide working to protect the night and preserve starry skies for generations to come.

Congratulations to the Syrjävaara community on this historic achievement! Visit https://bit.ly/4gdrjTQ to learn more about their certification.

📷 Photo by Olli Reijonen