PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 15, 2023
With vast stretches of undeveloped forests and low light pollution, Maine is still a wonderful place to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the stars, planets and galaxies above. Astronomy clubs and enthusiasts around the state are celebrating International Dark Sky Week from April 15-21. Maine’s dark skies are a valuable resource for educational and recreational activities such as stargazing, astronomy and astrophotography. They are becoming better recognized as a driver of tourism, not least with the establishment of the Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park in 2021. The night sky also has cultural significance for indigenous communities, who have long held a deep spiritual connection to the stars and constellations. And preserving dark skies has numerous environmental and health benefits. ~ Jeremy Wright, Southern Maine Astronomers, Brunswick