A Breathtaking Night Sky!

The night sky of Borrego Springs is particularly spectacular; it’s part of the whole desert experience for everyone—residents, visitors and the scientific community. In a 2003 USA Today article, the Anza-Borrego Desert was designated as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation.  www.usatoday.com/tech/2003-07-31-star-gazing_x.htm

The combination of an extremely arid climate, exceptionally clean air, and no light pollution create a world-class location for viewing the night sky in exceptionally clear and dark conditions.
The Springs RV Resort is a haven for stargazing, as well. Our Astronomy Park is located away from the lighting of the resort and village. At the astronomy park there is an 11 inch telescope permanently mounted in a observatory shelter. The telescope is available for viewing during most scheduled star parties.

Regularly scheduled star parties are held often, ranging from informal gatherings of amateur astronomers and beginners, to formal presentations led by professional astronomers such as Dennis Mammana www.dennismammana.com and John Mosley www.stargazingadventures.org.  Check the online activities calendar for dates and times of stargazing events.

Amateur astronomers and sky photographers from all over, especially southern California, are discovering Borrego as a truly superior night sky viewing destination.  While many mountainous locations also have great dark skies, they can be very cold at night, even in the summer. Imagine viewing the night sky in comfort, wearing nothing but shorts and a tee shirt! Ourastronomy park area is available at no charge for singles and groups who want to get away from the lights of the village, and there is plenty of room for parking, and secure locations for  portable telescopes.

In our effort to protect and preserve our unique natural resource,  Borrego community leaders are working with the International Dark Sky Association www.darksky.org to have Borrego Springs designated as an official International Dark Sky Community.  We would become the world’s second such community, and the first in California.  This could be followed by the designation of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park as the first International Dark Sky Park in California.