RAMAH, N.M. — A national monument in western New Mexico that's home to more than 2,000 inscriptions and petroglyphs on a towering sandstone bluff has earned recognition as an International Dark Sky Park. Officials at El Morro National Monument say they're planning to host more programs in 2020 that will highlight the area's spectacular night skies. There are now more than 100 locations that have followed a rigorous application process for dark sky certification. El Morro Superintendent Kelby Fuhrmann said the monument is grateful for the support it has received from the community to ensure light pollution is limited. El Morro is surrounded by ranch land and national forest about 120 miles (193 kilometers) west of Albuquerque.

Source: International New York Times December 27, 2019 05:03 UTC