The Darkest Skies
in South Dakota

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Highland Creek Trailhead in Wind Cave NP on 7/4/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 22.08 SQM."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at West Road in Devils Tower NM on 9/6/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.96 SQM."

"High extinction, light domes slighlty altered. Mount Rushmore lights on and easily visible."

"Set up about 100 yds SE of Joyner Ridge parking along loop trail. Many people at the parking area and other sites doing astrophotography and enjoying the night sky. Mostly clear skies with good detail in the Milky Way, which was visible to the natural horizons in the north and blended in to the light dome of Gillette to the SW. Andromeda Galaxy easily visible with the naked eye. Some low clouds along the horizon somewhat capping the light domes of Gillette and Spearfish/Rapid City. SQM reading of 21.74"

"Clear night with just a scattering of clouds during twilight, clearing by night. Some high overhead smoke also clearing by night. Only one visible light dome from nearby Valentine, NE. The lightdome is bright relative to the dark surrounds, but not bright enough to impact night vision. There are three very faint sources of light, but only visible after full dark adaptation, and very close to the horizon. Milky way is bright and detialed, visible from horizon to horizon. Some airglow visible later in the evening."

"Aurora Borealis dominated the northern horizon. Milky Way was bright and detaield, visible almost horizon to horizon. Only one light dome visible from Valentine, NE but it was very small and extremely faint. Otherwise a pristine site with natural night sky conditions."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Top of Memorial in Mount Rushmore N MEM on 7/6/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.46 SQM."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Sage Hill in Badlands NP on 7/19/2006. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.46 SQM."

"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Heritage Center in Homestead NM on 9/27/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.37 SQM."