Chaco Culture National Historical Park has earned another international designation: the refuge of dark night skies.
The International Dark-Sky Association recently certified the park, known for its monumental ancient buildings, as an International Dark Sky Park.
Officials say the park's natural nighttime darkness, commitment to reducing light pollution, and ongoing public outreach recently led to its certification.
The park is the twelfth to receive the designation worldwide and only the fourth unit of the U.S. National Park System.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park started its bid to become an IDA International Dark Sky Park in response to the National Park Service initiative, "Starry, Starry Night."
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