To put it simply, Alberta is one of the best places for stargazing on the planet. For starters, this Canadian province boasts not only the world’s largest but also second-largest Dark Sky Preserves. On top of that, Alberta is the sunniest province in Canada, which translates into a whole lot of clear nights...

Ask anyone about the states with the best space heritage, and Ohio might well make the list. Despite its relative small size compared to other states, Ohio ranks #4 in the number of astronauts that hailed from the state (after New York, California, and Texas). Maybe it's nights of stargazing in Ohio and wondering what's out there that inspired all those astronauts...

When the best states for stargazing come to mind, is Michigan on your list? Probably not – though it turns out that Michigan actually has great stargazing prospects. This is in part because of its nickname: the Great Lakes State. Unlike the Pacific Coast, which is plagued by clouds, or the East Coast with its huge light-polluted population centers, Michigan has over 3,200 miles of coastline and neither of those concerns...

It's kind of an understatement, but California is a really incredible place. It's a huge state – the third largest in the U.S. – and includes an incredible variety of natural wonders, from the Sierra Nevadas in the east through the flat Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and deserts in the south to southern Cascade volcanoes in the north. You can easily spend a whole lifetime in California without seeing it all. The same is true for stargazing in California: there's no shortage of incredible places for stargazing across the Golden State...

While Mexico might not be most peoples’ first thought for a place to go stargazing — one part of Mexico in particular actually has some of the best stargazing on Earth. Located on the country’s west coast, the two Baja California States (Baja California and Baja California Sur) have several options for dark sky viewing. The Baja Peninsula is actually considered one of the top 20 places to research the night-sky, according to NASA...

Among the states of the Southwestern U.S., New Mexico is often overlooked – especially when it comes to stargazing and astronomy. While professionals and amateur enthusiasts know that the Land of Enchantment is great by day and has astounding dark skies, most folks who just want to see the stars are more likely to end up looking at sites in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. And yeah, those states are great – but there's no experience quite like stargazing in New Mexico...

When you talk about Washington State, most people think of the same thing: rain. And while it doesn't rain nearly as much as people think – especially in the drier eastern part of the state – the cloud forecast is certainly important as you consider when and where to go stargazing in Washington...

Let's be real: Utah is one of the best places in the world when it comes to stargazing. Elevation, low humidity, cooperative weather, and incredible natural wonders make Utah a perfect spot to see the night sky in all its glory. If you want to go stargazing in Utah, it's hard to pick a bad place to do it...

The Pacific Northwest has a reputation of clouds and rain – don't believe it. While Washington and Oregon certainly get their share of rainy days (and nights), there are plenty of days (and nights) when it doesn't rain and you can enjoy some incredible stargazing opportunities. Across the state you can enjoy the stars...

Known for its stunning landscapes, deep forests, and rocky shoreline there is even more to be seen at night in Maine. If you are looking for one more thing to do during your visit then I recommend getting ready for some late nights to experience stargazing in Maine. From open night skies to science centers and observatories, there are many ways to experience stargazing in Maine. Although...