CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Palos Preserves has been designated the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world by the International Dark-Sky Association.
The more than 6,000 acres that make up the Palos Preserves was found to emit 1,000 times less light than downtown Chicago, and about four times more stars are visible in the night sky, according to measurements made by the Adler Planetarium.
Historically known as Mt. Forest Island, the Palos Preserves are part of the largest area of protected natural land in Cook County.
Ken Walczak with the planetarium said the chance of experiencing a natural dark night as it was for aeons is now too rare. It's difficult to express the peaceful natural beauty one can experience within the Palos Preserves' pristine nights.
But you can't just show up there for stargazing since the forest preserves are closed at night, but there are guided events on some nights.
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