APRIL 6-13, 2024

International Dark Sky Week

Join us for a week of night sky inspired activities!

Share Your Adventures on Socials!  #rlht #darkskymaine #IDSW2023 #DarkSkyWeek #DiscoverTheNight

Lights Out, Rangeley!

Saturday | Join us for an evening of turning on the stars!

Scavenger Hunt

Sunday | See how many boxes you can check off this week!

Solar Eclipse

Monday | Enjoy the solar eclipse in the afternoon!

Home Light Inventory

Tuesday | Walk around your house and take a look!

Documentaries

Wednesday | These documentaries will open your eyes to regional issues.

Globe At Night

Thursday | Become a Citizen Scientist for the night sky.

Night Sky Tour

Friday | Join us virtually for a tour of the visible night sky.

Dark Sky Trail

Saturday | Go stargazing along the Dark Sky Trail!

Dark Sky Posters

Any day | Walk Main Street and enjoy our student art!

Let's Take Action Together

Turn on the Stars! ✨

On Saturday night we’re asking Rangeley to go LIGHTS OUT for one hour! We’re encouraging individuals and businesses to turn off non-essential lights from 8-9 PM. 

Dark Sky Week Scavenger Hunt

Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt

Print out the scavenger hunt and see how many boxes you can check off this week. Find them all and share your results with Dark Sky to receive a prize! 

Have a nature & neighbor friendly home?

Follow the guide and use the inventory sheet to inventory your home lighting. See if the lighting you currently have at your residence is by IDA! We’re here to help with questions and resources! 

IDSW student Art Contest 23 F_Page_1

Discover the Night Student Poster Contest

The Poster Contest is open to all students through grade 9 in the Rangeley Lakes Region.

 

All artwork must be submitted by Friday, April 5. 

 

Submissions will be displayed at businesses along Main Street in Rangeley.

 

The winners will be showcased in regional news outlets and social media.

 

A panel of judges will judge all submissions to determine the prize winners.

 

All winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded during the next RLRS school assembly. 

Watch These Documentaries

Losing the Dark

“Losing the Dark” introduces and illustrates some of the issues regarding light pollution and suggests three simple actions people can take to help mitigate it. 

Defending the Dark

This dark sky film educates viewers on why it is crucial to preserve dark sky areas, emphasizing the unique dark sky environment of the north Maine woods.

Be a Citizen Scientist

Have you heard of Globe at Night program? “Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure & submit their night sky brightness observations!” From https://www.globeatnight.org/

Watch a Night Sky Tour

Throughout the year we host Night Sky Tours within the Rangeley Lakes Region in partnereship with Northern Stars Planetarium.

 

Please join us in the field on a clear night or enjoy the stars from the comfort of your couch with our videos unlocking the night sky. 

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming programs. 

Catch a Shooting Star on the Dark Sky Trail

With 60,000 acres of conserved lands, the Rangeley Lakes Region is the perfect place to plan your stargazing adventures. Explore these spots on the Dark Sky Trail. 

 

CONTACT

Dark Sky Community Certification Inquiries

Linda Dexter

Linda Dexter

Dark Sky Community Certification Coordinator

Our Partners in Conserving the Night Sky

The International Dark-Sky Association promotes win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting.

Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen scientists to measure & submit their night sky brightness observations.

A 501c3 nonprofit that promotes an appreciation of the night sky through education and by supporting measures that use appropriate lighting to provide security on the ground and promote the health of humans and nocturnal wildlife. 

Northern Stars Educational Services is an educational astronomy and science outreach service for schools, libraries, and non-profits throughout central and mid-coast Maine. 

Make a Pledge to be Dark Sky Friendly ✨

Small changes made by many people make a real difference.