Our ambition is to make astronomy accessible to everyone. The International Dark-Sky Association has named Newport a dark sky park, the first in Wisconsin. I visited two times within the same week, and at that time of year, I had the trails all to myself. Now, the park is getting some recognition for it. Dark-Sky is increasingly seen as valuable preservation in this age of light pollution. Today’s designation of this small, rural municipality located just 65 kilometers (40 miles) north… Read more. At the time of designation in 2017, Newport was the first park in Wisconsin and only the 49th in the world to receive this honor. We hike at this park every time we visit Door County because it isn't very crowded and is serene and enjoyable. Return to Universe in the Park main page. Office buildings, visitor centers, observation towers, enclosed shelters and playgrounds remain closed. At the time of designation in 2017, Newport was the first park in Wisconsin and only the 49th in the world to receive this honor. //. About Us . Newport State Park: Dark Sky Park - See 161 traveler reviews, 130 candid photos, and great deals for Ellison Bay, WI, at Tripadvisor. Newport State Park, Wisconsin’s only wilderness state park, is also the first state park in Wisconsin designated by IDA as an International Dark Sky Park, one of just 48 parks in the world to earn the distinction. Located far from any towns or cities that would provide light pollution and an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, this park was recently given a designation only 48 parks worldwide have received. “The prestigious Dark Sky Park designation opens the park to local, regional, national and international astronomical clubs and societies, increasing tourism, especially ecotourism. Sensing the value of dark night skies at Newport, Hefty agreed to formally launch the certification effort. This area of the state offers a treasure of unique and pristine nature, both to the state and the country. Newport State Park – Ellison Bay Newport State Park in Door County is the first and only park in Wisconsin to receive an official “Dark Sky Park” designation from the International Dark-Sky Association. The title comes from the International Dark Sky Association, an Arizona-based nonprofit that rates places all over the world on how dark they are. Newport joins the ranks of such U.S. National Parks as Big Bend, Glacier, and Grand Canyon. Door County Photos | Newport State Park Dark Sky Park by Len Villano. A A Dark Sky Park is a very select designation given by the oldest recognized organization in the world dedicated to protecting and preserving our heritage of dark skies; the International Dark-Sky Association. Newport State Park, located at the northern tip of the Door County peninsula, is Wisconsin’s first and only state park to be designated an International Dark Sky Park by … “In a modern world that is accompanied by ever increasing levels of nighttime illumination, a truly dark sky at night is rare and unique,” explained Hefty. Newport State Park in Door County has been designated the first dark sky park in Wisconsin. Six state parks are home to protected Dark Sky Preserves.Additionally, Michigan is home to Headlands International Dark Sky Park and Dr. T.K. This is a "Dark Sky" Park and has the best views of the stars, and constellations around. Milky Way from Newport State Park. A map for each continent is available for download as separate files. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has awarded International Dark Sky Park status to Jordanelle, Kodachrome Basin, and Rockport State Parks. Universe in the Park, and outreach program of the Astronomy Department at University of Wisconsin - Madison . Newport, Wisconsin’s only designated Wilderness Park, is now the first in Wisconsin to receive an International Dark Sky Park designation. “We never tire of seeing that ‘aha moment on the upturned faces of our visitors as they gaze toward the heavens.”. The town is long gone, but what remains is well worth a trek to northern Door County. An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. For more information, contact: Newport State Park tel:+1-920-854-2500; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 S. Webster Street PO Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921 Call 1 … Clear Dark Sky - The same people who bring you the "Clear Sky Clock" also have data on local light pollution, also available as high-resolution maps of light pollution levels. Newport State Park: Dark Sky Visit - See 161 traveler reviews, 130 candid photos, and great deals for Ellison Bay, WI, at Tripadvisor. Even though this map can be zoomed out to show the all of North America, this page only shows charts in Wisconsin. The management of the park has initiated vigorous preservation efforts against light pollution including the … But the stretch of coastline running from Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve northward to Limekiln State Park is sheltered from the urban lights of Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties by the Santa Lucia Mountains. door ccunty wisconsin We read about Newport being named a Dark sky preserve. Jordanelle State Park is situated on the east side of the Wasatch Mountains. Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information: with down-to-the-minute forecasts for your exact location, you'll never get caught in the rain again. Backpacking Newport State Park in Door County, Wisconsin. Put aside as an international designated dark area, Newport is the perfect Wisconsin park for stargazing because it takes advantage of its remote location along the shores of Lake Michigan on the Door County peninsula. This area of the state offers a treasure of unique and pristine nature, both to the state and the country. Although it’s only a provisional Dark Sky Park, the fact that one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations is going dark is impressive. Only 13 other state parks in the United States have received IDA accreditation. This park was once a thriving lake port during the lumber days of Wisconsin. A dark-sky preserve (DSP), also known as a dark sky reserve, is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial light pollution.The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy.. Because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programs, different terms have been used to describe the areas. Newport is the first park in Wisconsin to receive the honor, joining the ranks of Big Ben, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks. Wildcat has been known for years for fantastic night sky viewing. … “From lighting projects to community education and outreach, our commitment to protect our dark sky is a priority we take seriously,” said Beth Bartoli, a Newport State Park naturalist who helps conduct astronomy programs at the park. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the park shelter and is open to the public with light refreshments served afterward. Rowleys Bay is located on the Northern tip of Wisconsin in Ellison Bay. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Wildcat Mountain State Park are proposed Dark Sky Reserves. The Park’s location at the sparsely-populated end of the peninsula, separated from the mainland by 24 km (15 miles) of open water, makes its dark sky resource highly defensible in the future. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the IDA in June 2017, it is the only such locale in Wisconsin. The statewide Universe in the Park program of UW-Madison Astronomy Department is funded, in its entirety, by the generous support of Jere and Anne Fluno. There are 36 Dark Sky Parks in the United States; among them are Big Bend National Park in Texas and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Wisconsin’s First Dark Sky Park. Here are the internationally-recognized dark-sky parks, reserves, preserves, sanctuaries and other sites in Wisconsin that are ideal for stargazing. Newport State Park on the tip of the Door Peninsula was named to the International Dark Sky Association’s list of 48 fantastic dark skies around the world. Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information: with down-to-the-minute forecasts for your exact location, you'll never get caught in the rain again. Here are the internationally-recognized dark-sky parks, reserves, preserves, sanctuaries and other sites in Wisconsin that are ideal for stargazing. The idea for applying for the designation began four years ago when Ray Stonecipher, a local Door County amateur astronomer and member of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society, approached Park Superintendent Michelle Hefty about seeking the designation. Dark Sky Locations in Wisconsin. ");b!=Array.prototype&&b!=Object.prototype&&(b[c]=a.value)},h="undefined"!=typeof window&&window===this?this:"undefined"!=typeof global&&null!=global?global:this,k=["String","prototype","repeat"],l=0;l