San Diego marks Dark Sky Week with stargazing events
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Stargazers at Mission Trails. Photo: Courtesy of Angie Ollman
It's International Dark Sky Week, and there are ways to celebrate the night sky around San Diego.
The big picture: The week is meant to remind us that darkness doesn't have to be spooky and to raise awareness about light pollution, meaning excessive artificial outdoor light.
Threat level: Light pollution doesn't just make it harder to see the stars.
- It disrupts ecosystems of animals like birds and sea turtles, according to the National Park Service.
- Researchers have also found that it harms humans' health by messing with our circadian rhythms.
Zoom in: There are several local events recognizing International Dark Sky Week, which runs Monday through April 20.
🔭 Dark Sky Welcome Center Open House — Borrego Springs has an open house on Monday to celebrate its status as a Dark Sky Community.
📚 Dark Sky Week Celebration — The Borrego Springs Library will host a community event on Tuesday about the importance of preserving dark skies.
✨ Stars at West Sycamore — The San Diego Astronomy Association will lead stargazing on Friday at the Mission Trails West Sycamore staging area.
🌌 Festival of the Night Sky and Nocturnal Creatures — Los Peñasquitos Ranch House will host a nighttime festival on Saturday with stargazing and activities focused on nocturnal wildlife.
☀️ Solar Telescope & Star Party — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will host a daytime solar viewing and a nighttime star party on Saturday.
🌠 Dark Sky Week Celebration — Santa Ysabel Nature Center will host a celebration on Saturday with activities focused on astronomy and night sky preservation.
🌿 Light pollution learning sessions — Mission Trails Visitor Center will host daytime programs Saturday and Sunday from 10am–1pm exploring how artificial light impacts local wildlife.
So remember, you don't need to be scared of the dark.
