Miles from any metropolitan areas, the region around Dinosaur National Monument is one of the darkest places in the lower 48 states. Now it’s officially recognized for its lack of light pollution by the International Dark Sky Association. Our partners at KDNK spoke with Sonya Popelka, who oversees the night sky viewing programs at Dinosaur, about the designation and the public programs she oversees.

[Photo: The Milky Way galaxy fills the night sky above Mitten Park and the Green River at Dinosaur National Monument. Credit: Dan Duriscoe/National Park Service]