On Saturday, May 25, Sinks Canyon State Park and the Wind River Visitors Council hosted a community celebration to recognize Sinks Canyon State Park’s recent designation as an International Dark Sky Park, which is the first designation of its kind in Wyoming.

In this podcast, Jessica Moore, Superintendent of Sinks Canyon State Park, talks about why dark skies are important and how this designation was achieved. Kendall Jacobs, a mathematics instructor at the Casper College School of Science, and Dr. Andrew Young, a physics instructor, also at the Casper College School of Science, led a constellation tour, shared some historical perspectives and talked about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a Nova explosion, which is visible in Wyoming until the end of September.

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See Wind River Country as it happens, on the trail, in town and out on the land. Follow along for real moments from real people, and share your own journey by tagging @windrivercountry.

Dirt bikes + badlands + snow-dusted mountains in the background = our perfect Wyoming day. Photo: Melanie Limpus
No matter how you found our account, we're happy you're here. This is Wyoming's Wind River Country, a destination with wide-open landscapes, living cultures and the kind of space that lets you breathe deep. Come find your West with us here in Wyoming. Learn more at the link in our bio. Photo: @bradytildeath #wyoming #windrivercountry #thatswy
When you road trip through Wyoming, you may not expect to find a place like red canyon. With striking landscapes, it's one of those places that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and take in the view. Photo: @montanatia #Wyoming #WindRiverCountry #ThatsWY
Life gets busy. We believe in slowing down, soaking it in and enjoying life at the Wyoming pace. Photo: Gary Kunis #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
Fall in Wyoming. You’ve got to see it for yourself. 🍂 #windrivercountry #wyoming #thatswy #cowboystate
Wyoming's best fishing days happen in the fall! 📸 @jakeysforkphoto #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY