White Tank Mountain Regional Park, in Arizona, lies just 28 miles (46 km) west of downtown Phoenix. Because of its location in the middle of the desert, there are lots of cactus, rocks and desert fauna. The park features a very open rugged area with trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Although the gates close at 8:00 pm and roadside parking is not allowed, sites for tent and recreational vehicle (RV) camping can be reserved for a fee. While describing the suitability of the park for stargazing, a friend of EarthSky said: “It’s very dark and far away from city lights and sounds. There are many places to park or camp that give an unobstructed view of the entire night sky full of stars and planets.”
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.