We’re camped a little over 6 miles from the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park. I had just finished picking up my tools after setting up our internet satellite dish – and happened to look up.
The sky was dark, but we have a street light right next to our camper at this campground, so I didn’t expect to see the inky black sky inset with thousands of twinkling stars. However, I was standing in the shadow of the camper which blocked the light from the street light.
Looking west, south, and north, there was no light pollution from surrounding towns – because there are no surrounding towns in those directions. To the east is the town of West Yellowstone and there was some light there, but not much.
I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve seen such a starry night. It was easy to make out the Milky Way and the major constellations – at least the ones that I can still remember.
Most of the time, I simply do not have the opportunity as there are so many trees where we live that block the view. As well, there is a lot more humidity in the air which contributes to atmospheric haze that blocks starlight and diffuses the light of towns and cities over a wide area.
Over too much of the US, light pollution from the urbanization of America limits the view of the night sky.
Starry, Starry Night…..
