The Dark Skies of Big Bend

Big Bend, Texas is one of the few regions that scores a 1 on the Bortles Scale, meaning it has nearly no light pollution. Go to VisitBigBend.com for details on how you can experience the darkest skies in North America.

[@greasyfoil6765]

Born and raised in Houston, been to about 30 countries and 5 continents during my travels. Big Bend is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen...it's my happy place. The stars are alive there.

[@tonyrainbolt9388]

"The stars are alive there." Now I have to go! I want to live with the stars.

[@AintNoFool]

I loved viewing the milky way & stars in the 1960s in the hill country of Texas... I was 8 or 9. I have never seen those skies since. I am 69 & this area and viewing the dark skies is now on my bucket list. My gosh! It should be a requirement for all of us! Humbled by the majesty of God's creation. Not a product of happenstance.

[@oldfartatplay]

It's awesome! Word don't do it justice😍

[@jimmy2060]

I was born 2/2/44 in northern Indiana, i can remember seeing the northing lights when things were just right, seeing the milky way but now you must get away from artificial lights to even see dark skies now I live in presidio county and if you want you can drive 29 or less miles away from town to get to see dark skies and of course the farther you go the bigger the sky, do yourself a favor, go see the universe with your eyes, you won't regret it.

[@brendaclair2010]

Big Bend is an amazing place, a true must see! First time I was there I was so amazed at everything it has to offer, the beauty is infinite 💙💙💙

[@leemeyer748]

I’ve spent many wonderful visits to the big bend, first for a time to visit a childhood friend who moved there and later for his funeral Later for several road trips to canoe the river with my girlfriend.

[@shaggyterrell8460]

Beautiful video! I’m one of those that drives 10 hours out there once a year for the skies. Also for the camping and hiking but the dark skies are what drew me to it the first year a few years ago. Love this place and camping in Chisos Basin is great.

[@mikedarr6968]

The sky here, both day and night, were a major factor in my decision to retire to Ter,ingua Ranchin 2011. Great video, thanks you for creating it.

[@tomhills1690]

My family went to Big Bend in 2017. We were all surprised to see the night sky fully filled with stars, just amazing.

[@Joe-cu4hi]

God willing, Hope to see you all September 2023

[@UN1VERS3S]

I hope there'll be a night when all the big cities around the world will come together and turn off the lights to reduce light pollution, so we could watch the majestic night sky. The view of the milky way, that our ancestors we're blessed with everynight.

[@12roundstv12]

That would be amazing! I’m here for it! Great idea.

[@markfox2922]

I highly recommend a visit to Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory. Stunning sky.

[@12roundstv12]

Totally agree. Great recommendation. Also, stay and/or eat at Stone Village Tourist Camp (and Market) while you're in Fort Davis.

[@philipmarr7325]

Awesome. Ill be camping in the park a couple days later this year.

[@12roundstv12]

That is great to hear. Hope you have a memorable adventure. Thanks for the comment!

[@markfox2922]

I agree, the West Texas night sky is pectacular. I suggest a visit to the McDonald Observatory. It's worth the trip.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

Beautiful area

[@dennisreynolds6196]

I am visiting in September. I am so excited!

[@drew7155]

Are you there

[@jc4evur661]

So give us an update!

[@dennisreynolds6196]

@@jc4evur661 I went. Camped there for five days.

[@jc4evur661]

@@dennisreynolds6196 Thanks...how would you rate the skies?

[@gerald9264]

I've lived and worked in Big Bend National Park and its a great place to visit.

[@gerald9264]

You'll love it and there's a lot of things to do and see, not only the stars but other places to go to and visit, and see how much you are going to have a great time with all the wonders to see if you have no idea of what to expect.Big Bend National Park is a great place and is the largest county in Texas and I lived in Alpine Texas and love it and I lived in Big Bend National Park and I tell people I'm from the largest city, largest county, second State of the United States of America, earthquake city Alpine Texas. But be sure to check out Big Bend National Park. Really a great place to visit. Trust me, You'll have a great time and see lots of things, There's a hot springs and rocks called grape vine that are rocks that look like grapes and many other places to visit. However long you can visit, enjoy your time with all you can do and see. Lots of things to do, and see. There are lots of stars at night and you'll have a great time. Hope and pray that you have a great time. God bless. Amen.

[@Kingdaniel23]

Is it safe to stay with the close proximity to Mexico and illegal crossings

[@stevenmerlock9971]

Love the night, it’s an amazing area. Seen things people wouldn’t believe!

[@rosiebenavides2674]

Let the Heavens Declare the Glory of God

[@jennifermeza5863]

Amen ❤

[@listonious6754]

Praise be to God, Lord of the Heavens

[@Pusse_inpfp]

Glory of mother night *

[@jc4evur661]

They do! They do!

[@InfinityGaming420]

Psalm 19:1

[@starpawsy]

Please come visit us in Australia to see some real dark skies. Also, the centre of the Milky Way from here is directly overhead, not the measly on-the-horizon that you get.

[@lionofjudah6763]

One day I hope to get a chance to visit there while it's cool never in the summer heat.

[@NatanielsArt]

Great location 🌌 I’m planning to visit it soon

[@wolffury5019]

I am from India and I want to visit this place.

[@wildlifeisthewealthofnatur5457]

You can either visit Himalayas, That desert or Rann of Kutch. You will atleast see the faint milky way cloud and a couple thousand stars.

[@wolffury5019]

@wildlifeisthewealthofnatur5457 Thanks a lot. In my state of TAMILNADU also couple of coastal villages near Bay of Bengal and in Western Ghats Hill stations, Milky Way is visible according to enthusiasts. And in Andaman & Nicobar islands, Jaisalmer in the state of Rajasthan also Milky Way is visible.

[@Photoncraft]

Soon it will be MilkyWay Season. I really hope can visit.

[@smoo9203]

Same

[@BLUEBOI2503]

When is Milky Way season?

[@Photoncraft]

@@BLUEBOI2503 Currently the season. without moon light and pm 11~AM4.

[@williamramey1959]

People need to realize that most of the pictures of the dark skies in this presentation are time exposures. Therefore, the colorful late spring-late summer Carina-Sagittarius star bands are time exposures and NOT what you see with your unaided eyes. However, we do clearly see the star bands but they look hazy and cloudy. The star bands are also clearly marked out. The Perseus star band in the winter is not as pronounced as the Carina-Sagittarius star bands.

[@peterraymond3653]

I live in a light polluted area in the UK and do some astrophotography. I've seen dark (ish) skies here on my travels but it's only fair to be realistic about what you can see at Big Bend and the McDonald Observatory. I was very fortunate to visit both on a moon-less night and it's absolutely mind blowing what you can see with the naked eye. It's Milky Way from horizon to horizon and it's the most humbling thing I've ever seen. I also looked through a few telescopes at planets, they didn't look much different to what I can see from my back yard. That said, planets are bright so easy to see. I doubt it will happen but wish I could go back and experience it again. It was life changing

[@12roundstv12]

Thanks for the comment. You are right in that some of the images are either timelapse or through a telescope. However, if you visit the Big Bend region on a dark, cloudless night, you will have your life changed. The dark skies are truly that powerful. Thanks again for your comment.

[@williamramey1959]

I am and have been the star party host at Dark Texas Skies in Marathon, TX, and also the overseer of MaRIO (Marathon Remote Imaging Observatories) for almost the past seven years. I have been also an astrophotographer for the past 42 years. Because the pictures are posted without a simple disclosure that they are time exposures, when people visit the area, they think that is what they will see as what is depicted in the photograph(s) when they visit the area. But that is not what they see--and they never will see that--and they are disappointed, for our brains processes light in real time. My suggestion is simple: it would be a much better policy that if a picture is posted and it is a time exposure, then the photographer should disclose that fact. This suggestion would help to educate people. I am a resident of this area because of the dark skies and the marvelous canopy of stars that we can see. And by the way for those who may not properly understand, the star bands are a fraction of the Milky Way Galaxy and do not comprise the entire galaxy of the Milky Way. Otherwise, to which galaxy does the Earth belong, or our Sun, or our solar system? As an illustration, close your eyes. Do you see anything? You have just eliminated everything in the Milky Way Galaxy that you can see with your unaided eyes.@@12roundstv12

[@laurin4405]

👍Nice Sampler of the Skies in that Special part of the World. And some Exceptional Astrophotography!!!📷 🔭Y'all should check out Texas Star Party... I have no dates, but it was Wonderful last time I went... Lotta' Friendly Folks & DARK Skies(Ft Davis Area)

[@12roundstv12]

We will be in Fort Davis in early March. Can’t wait!!!

[@wayward-souls2872]

I’m here now what can I do to see the dark sky better

[@12RoundsMedia]

Dark sky viewing all depends on your location, cloud coverage, moon phase, and more importantly light pollution. So, I'd contact Panther Junction and see if they have a dark sky viewing "party" this week. Another great spot is Big Bend Observatory. Stay away from Terlingua and other tourist areas as they have too much light to truly see it. If you are near Fort Davis, go to McDonald Observatory. Hope this helps. Enjoy it because it is truly amazing.

[@keithsullivan-lt4nk]

im in TEXAS. we had a 4in telescope south of dallas. 1 night out of the blue the wife looses her mind. all she can say is look look when i looked the rings of saturn AMAZING

[@adamhuffman3354]

It’s like a window

[@alex.adavak]

Are those UFOs at 3:48 ??

[@karendawson6112]

thats exactly what i was thinking. same at 4:45 😂 what was that?!

[@karendawson6112]

4:35 ****

[@NatanielsArt]

Satellites, it’s hard to photograph the sky without them there’s so many

[@maxrsw4496]

The moon is the greatest source of light pollution. The best times are the moon-less nights, therefore, where starlight becomes so bright that shades of sage and all leaves and flowers are easily detected.

[@tombstone1970]

awesome...want to go