Dark Skies

Head out West for dark skies for a Milky Way so bright it casts a shadow.

Studying our ancestors' nocturnal lives reveals the value of reclaiming darkness.

What you see overhead is a combination of where you are, how our vision evolved, and that flimsy layer of atmosphere that keeps us all alive.

Hear what musings coming alive in the dark.

Once the sun goes down, these furry fliers get active. You can spot them almost anywhere you go, if you know how to look.

These magical images from our readers will inspire you to appreciate night vision.

Stay up way past bedtime with us to explore new worlds of wonder with a child's-eye view.

Show us your best shots from after darkness falls, for Atlas Obscura’s next Summer Snaps photo contest.

It's easy to identify planets, stars, and even galaxies once you know where to look for them.

As our day star enters its most active period, look for more opportunities to catch these spectral northern (and southern) lights. Here's how.

The International Space Station and a growing number of communications satellites have redefined humans' view of the heavens.

From seeing the northern lights aboard a Navy ship in Norway to braving the cold for a glimpse of a blood moon.

Stanley Aryanto took a once-in-a-lifetime photo of the Milky Way, Comet NEOWISE, and auroras thanks to planning, patience, and luck. Now he's sharing what he knows.