Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Southwestern

Parks & Recreation, Oct, 2002

In 1993 the Chaco Culture National Historical Park (N.M.) designated the night sky as a critical resource to be protected. For thousands of years, native Americans in the region had used celestial observations to plan ceremonies and planting, but encroaching urban centers were shedding too much light.

Since then, all park lighting has been retrofitted to reduce light pollution and enhance night sky viewing. In 1997, a partnership with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society attracted astronomer John Selfick to donate a domed observatory and equipment to the park. Chaco's Night Sky Program is now a successful volunteer project that involves more than 13,000 park visitors a year.