A real star-spangled night! America set to get its first dark sky reserve in Idaho - with 80% of the rest of the country suffering from light pollution

  • The status will protect the area from increasing levels of light pollution
  • A group is working to designate 1,400 square miles as a reserve
  • Researchers say 80% of North Americans live in areas hit by light pollution

The U.S. is tipped to get its first-ever 'dark sky reserve' with an area of central Idaho protected for its quality of starry nights. 

The blacked-out zone would fill a chunk of the state's sparsely populated region that contains night skies so pristine that interstellar dust clouds are visible in the Milky Way.

The International Dark-Sky Association says the region is one of the few places remaining in the contiguous United States large enough and dark enough to attain reserve status.

This June 4, 2016 photo provided by Nils Ribi Photography shows the Milky Way in the night sky at the foot of the Boulder Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

This June 4, 2016 photo provided by Nils Ribi Photography shows the Milky Way in the night sky at the foot of the Boulder Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

Nearby towns, county and federal officials and a conservation group are working to submit an application this fall to designate 1,400 square miles as a reserve, but they'll have to limit light pollution.

Researchers say 80 per cent of North Americans live in areas where light pollution blots out the night sky.

Reserves are designated by the international body if they meet standards for night sky quality and natural darkness.

America's first International Dark Sky Reserve will fill a chuck of the sparsely populated region containing night skies so pristine that interstellar dust clouds are visible in the Milky Way

America's first International Dark Sky Reserve will fill a chuck of the sparsely populated region containing night skies so pristine that interstellar dust clouds are visible in the Milky Way

CERTIFIED DARK SKY RESERVES 

Aoraki Mackenzie - New Zealand

Brecon Beacons National Park - Wales

Exmoor National Park - England

Kerry - Ireland

Mont-Mégantic - Québec

Moore's Reserve - South Downs, England

NamibRand Nature Reserve - Namibia

Pic du Midi - France

Rhön - Germany

Snowdonia National Park - Wales

Westhavelland - Germany

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Regular visitation by the public is essential to meet the goals of the 'dark sky places program'.

This means the area must be accessible to the public at nighttime, with or without supervision.

There must also be four events held on the site throughout the year, to promote the the night sky for educational purposes. 

The Idaho area joins three national parks in the UK with its status as an international dark sky reserve. Others reserves can be found in areas including the Pic du Midi mountain in France and the rural Rhon district of Germany.