There’s a whole new reason for Jackson Hole’s Summer Stargazers. The local airport and county have been the world’s first international Darkski accreditation in that category. In April, Teton County, Wyoming became the first county to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community, and Jackson Hole Airport, the only US commercial airport in the National Park (Grand Teton National Park), became the world’s first airport to be recognized as an urban night sky location.
“The overall lack of light pollution, high elevation and low air moisture content make this place very surprising to Stargazing,” says Samuel Singer, executive director of Jackson-based non-profit Wyoming Stargaze.
The airport must maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lighting standards for areas such as airfields and aircraft parking, but by upgrading other lighting fixtures, adding motion sensors, and turning off tickets within the nighttime check-in area, it was possible to reduce light contamination in other areas. The Teton County designation covers only local government-owned land, but Wyoming Stargaine hopes to work with partners to create an international dark sky reserve in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem that incorporates federal lands.
And the night sky could be even darker as it represents a five-year commitment to its goal of fully complying with a dark sky by 2030.
Where to go to Starjays in Jackson Hole
Drive to Grand Teton National Park and enjoy a celestial show to fully utilize the new designation on a sunny evening. You can stop by roadside pulls by antelope flats or head to the darker north stretches in the north of the park near Colter Bay, the Lizard Creek Campground, or Leaks Marina. Brave backpackers can find even darker skies by booking backcountry campsites deep in the park.
Jackson Hole offers daytime programming and an evening stargaze experience at Snow King Mountain Observatory. Buy tickets in advance, ride a gondola and ride up to 8,000 feet to see the planetarium and look through a 1-meter telescope. In addition to other programming, Wyoming Star Gauging offers free weekly public star gains on clear Thursday nights at a rendezvous park along the Snake River (also known as “R Park”).
It’s a great time to stare at the night sky on any clear night, but at Perseid it’s a particularly rewarding time to look up, with up to 100 meteors per hour. This year’s peak is expected to be August 12th-13th. During high solar activity, the aurora can also be seen from Jackson Hole.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the world,” said Teton County Eric Kimball, Wyoming’s sustainability coordinator.
In June, “astronomical twilight,” the sky is considered the darkest and the opportunity to climax the peak starry sky, ranges from 11:30pm to 3:30am, but you can see the stars beyond those times.
“It’s incredible, especially for those who have never experienced it,” Kimball said, adding, “It’s almost religious, a beautiful wonder of nature, and people should spend just a moment while enjoying it.”
