Like watching the sunset, seeking out the Big Dipper in the night sky is a vacation ritual. But in the past five years, according to experts, the term astrotourism has evolved to describe more intentional travel to places with dark skies and more visible stars. In its 30-year history, the association has designated more than 60 International Dark Sky Parks in protected areas, such as the Grand Canyon National Park. Its four International Dark Sky Sanctuaries tend to be remote; Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific, for example, has applied for sanctuary status. Similarly motivated by light-pollution abatement, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designates Canada’s Dark-Sky Preserves, often in national parks.

Source: New York Times September 03, 2018 09:45 UTC