Seeing the stars and moon in the night sky is becoming increasingly rare. Globally, “more than 80% of the planet’s land areas — and 99% of the population of the United States and Europe — live under skies so blotted with man-made light that the Milky Way has become virtually invisible," per National Geographic.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, NASA is inviting everyone to celebrate International Observe the Moon Night, a global event encouraging people to pause, look up and appreciate the lunar surface. In 2025, the event takes place just a few nights before the harvest moon on Oct. 6, a full moon visible across much of the United States.
Utah’s dark sky advantage
A study commissioned by Spinblitz ranked the darkest night skies in the United States based on factors like light pollution and elevation. While several parks in other states — including Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado — ranked highly, Canyonlands National Park in Utah was identified as the top location.
Canyonlands National Park is a skygazer’s paradise. It is designated a Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park, a recognition for having some of the darkest night skies in the country, and it has a Bortle Scale rating of 1, meaning there is virtually no light pollution, leading to greater visibility of stars and the lunar surface. On a clear night, observers can see up to 15,000 stars, according to the National Park Service.
Utah also has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks and Communities in the world, with nearly 30 locations. Dark Sky certification identifies areas “that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.”
Local Utah viewing locations
NASA lists several organizations in Utah and around the world hosting public events for International Observe the Moon Night:
- International Observe the Moon Night at Wheeler Farm
- Salt Lake County Library’s Viridian Event Center
- Salt Lake Astronomical Society
- Utah Valley University Department of Physics
- MOONLIGHTERS
- Tremonton Public Library
- Dark Sky Observers
For those unable to attend in-person events, NASA provides 10 methods for observing the moon from home, including virtual telescope experiences, creating moon-inspired art and listening to recordings of the moon.
Utah’s protected night skies provide the perfect opportunity for clear observation of the night sky, especially the moon on Saturday.