Michigan’s night sky: Part 2
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EmailOutrunning light pollution in the Mitten.
Skygazing is a wonderful low-cost STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) hobby that can be easily pursued in Michigan. However, beginning and experienced astronomers alike often encounter a pervasive problem: light pollution.
In urban areas such as southeast Michigan, intense and continual light from buildings, vehicle headlights and street lamps – often collectively referred to as “skyglow” – mask and obscure the light from celestial bodies, making stars difficult to see. However, you don’t need to be in an urban area to experience light pollution. Even in rural northern areas of Michigan, scientists are able to measure the growing impact of light pollution. Public health officials worry about the health implications for humans and wildlife, as increasing light pollution may interfere negatively with circadian rhythms (internal clocks that rely on light intensity changes to control sleep patterns),
“Dark parks” are emerging across the nation as a way for stargazers to seek refuge from light pollution. Dark parks are natural areas that have been specifically set aside, either permanently or for particular time periods, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible. Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County’s Mackinaw City is an example of a natural area that has been permanently designated as a dark sky viewing area. This park became one of the first ten international dark sky parks in the world when the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Arizona designated it after a rigorous review process in 2011.
Headlands is located near the Mackinac Bridge at the tip of the Lower Peninsula. There is no camping allowed, but Headlands is close to Wilderness State Park and several local private campgrounds. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to take advantage of 24-hour access to the 550 acres for stargazing. During summer months, there are many educational programs offered and a convenient Dark Sky Etiquette Guide.
If you plan to visit a dark park after dark, Michigan State University Extension recommends you follow a few rules:
- Plan to walk or hike in, carrying your equipment (telescope, chairs, blankets).
- When entering the parking area, turn off car headlights if it seems safe and possible (you might need to read your owner’s manual as some newer cars have running headlights on at all times) and drive slowly and carefully.
- Park with headlights pointed away from the viewing area.
- Don’t forget your star map and your night vision red flashlight! Red vision lights are helpful because they reduce glare and are compatible with your night vision while bringing little disruption to wildlife.
- If you plan to use your phone for stargazing apps, adjust your brightness to the lowest possible setting.
In addition to Headlands, other Michigan dark parks for stargazers are Dr. T.K.Lawless Park (Cass County, 2020) and Keweenaw Dark Sky Park (Keweenaw, 2022), which is the first Upper Peninsula park to get a Sky Park designation. The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area (Charlevoix County) is a designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Lake Michigan. Dark sky sanctuaries are different from dark sky parks in that they are located in remote areas where there is little expectation for multiple human visitors and extended human contact with wildlife is minimal. Therefore, sanctuaries do not offer the same educational and outreach activities to attract human visitors that the dark sky parks are known for, but have instead been set aside to protect wildlife from light pollution.
Outside actual dark parks and sanctuaries, several Michigan state parks also have protected dark sky areas set aside. These include Lake Hudson Recreational Area (Lenawee County), Negwegon State Park (Alcona County), Port Crescent State Park (Huron County), Rockport Recreational Area (Presque Isle County), and Thompsons Harbor State Park (Presque Isle County).
To learn more about light pollution and become an advocate or member, visit Dark Sky International. To make a Michigan state park camping reservations, visit the MiDNRReservations.com website.
