The night sky surrounding Earth is a wonder to behold – assuming that it can be seen in the first place. According to Science Magazine, more than 80 percent of the entire planet is now affected by light pollution, and that number jumps to 99 percent of all European and American dwelling places. Fortunately, some organizations are working to preserve the natural beauty of the sky, and according to USA Today, there are even a few places left in the Western world that sightseers can go to find little or no light pollution.
In the U.S., Flagstaff, AZ is actually the first city to be named an International Dark Sky City by the International Dark Sky Association because of active civic measures to avoid producing light. In Europe, Roisey, France is an excellent stop in the French Alps. It features the cleanest air in the country, and the high altitude means that the skies are often clear enough for gazing.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.