In a country as large as the United States, there are many types of terrain, different climates and different cultures. One thing that all these places share in common, is that the night sky has a familiar look from almost anywhere.
Continue on for a selection of awesome photos taken at various national parks.
Photography: U.S. National Park Service
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
“A star-filled night sky frames this dramatic view of rocky cliffs and gorge at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado.”
Photography: National Park Service/G. Owens
Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah
“Balanced rock predawn with stars.”
Photography: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
“Star trails swirl in a concentric pattern above the dome of Chaco Observatory at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico.”
Photography: National Park Service
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
“Stars emerge in the night sky above an ancient Bristlecone pine tree in this twilight view at Great Basin National Park, Nevada.”
Photography: National Park Service
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
“Moon rising over bighorn sheep herd.”
Photography: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank
Aztec Ruins National Monument
“A park ranger stands inside an Ancestral Puebloan ring of stones and points his laser to a planet in the night sky at Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico.”
Photography: National Park Service/Bettymaya Foott
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
“Night sky view of the Milky Way rising above the snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.”
Photography: National Park Service/P. Gaines
Joshua Tree National Park, California
“Night sky scene shows the Milky Way galaxy arching over the "entering Joshua Tree National Park" entrance sign.”
Photography: National Park Service/Lian Law
Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado/Utah
“The Milky Way arcs above the structures at Square Tower Group, Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado / Utah”
Photography: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank
Glacier National Park, Montana
“The Aurora Borealis shimmers green across night skies and on the surface of a lake at Glacier National Park.”
Photography: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
“Moon rising over bighorn sheep herd.”
Photography: National Park Service/Jacob W. Frank