Thankfully, there's a ready-made list of places that offer the best chances to spot meteors, see stars and ponder constellations.The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) recently added two places to its certified list (a Dark Sky Reserve in Germany and a Dark Sky Park in the United States), taking the number of officially recognized star-gazing spots around the world to 22.The IDA is a non-profit organization fighting against light pollution to preserve the quality of the night sky."Misdirected and excessive lighting are the main cause of sky glow and light pollution," says Chip Harrison, park manager for Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania, one of the IDA's certified Dark Sky Parks.The IDA grants Dark Sky Park and Dark Sky Reserve status to locations dedicated to preserving high quality night sky darkness.Surprisingly, the darkest night skies aren't all in remote areas. One of the IDA's aims is for reserves and parks to be accessible."Dark Sky Parks and Dark Sky Reserves are some of the best places on Earth to experience truly dark night skies because they are both dark and, more importantly, accessible," says Dr. John Barentine, Dark Sky Places program manager at IDA."Many are already well-visited national and local parks, which means that by designating them, we have the best chance of bringing as many people as possible into contact with the alternately awesome and endangered resource of dark night skies."International Dark Sky ReservesWesthavelland International Dark Sky Reserve, GermanyDesignated February 2014Westhavelland Nature Park is the closest International Dark Sky Reserve to a major populated city.Known in Germany as "Sternenpark Westhavelland" (Star Park Westhavelland), the nature park is approximately 100 kilometers west of Berlin."You can see the Milky Way and rare displays of the Aurora Borealis," says Dr. Andreas Haenel, director of the Museum Am Schölerberg's planetarium and who led efforts for IDA's designation."I think the most fascinating experience is in autumn when thousands of migrating birds -- wild geese and cranes -- give an impressive background sound under the starry sky," she says.The darkest and clearest skies are between mid-May and mid-July during the new moon from midnight to dawn. Under these conditions, zodiacal light (sunlight scattered by dust in space) and gegenschein (a faint brightening of zodiacal light at midnight) can be seen.Westhavelland Nature Park; Stremmestraße 10, 14715 Milower Land OT Milow; +49 033 86 211 227Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, IrelandDesignated January 2014"The reserve is a brand new baby on the Irish tourism menu," says Julie Ormonde, chairperson of Kerry Dark Sky Group and project manager of the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve.The reserve spans an area of 700 square kilometers on the Iveragh Peninsula. Its location between the Kerry Mountains and Atlantic Ocean provides natural protection against light pollution from other Irish cities.Most of the 1.5 million tourists that pass through this region stop to photograph the landscape in the day, she saysFew visit at night despite the starry show of Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae and meteors.On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way's closest neighbor 2.5 million light years away, the Andromeda Galaxy.Kerry is home to fewer than 4,000 residents and its top stargazing spots are easily accessible by car. St. Finian's Bay is at the core of the reserve, offering one of the best night sky views without any tinge of light pollution.Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve; + 353 (0) 87 7845688Pic du Midi International Dark Sky Reserve, FranceDesignated December 2013Around 110,000 stargazers each year visit the reserve to view zodiacal light, the Milky Way and constellations, says Nicholas Bourgeois, project manager of the International Dark Sky Reserve at Pic du Midi.Pic du Midi covers 3,112 square kilometers spread across the Pyrénées National Park and Pyrénées-Mont Perdu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The most popular spot for astronomical views is at the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, built in the 1870s.The observatory houses one of the world's highest museums at an altitude of 2,877 meters, with exhibits on astronomy and the history of Pic du Midi.Each year, around 3,300 night sky watchers stay overnight at the observatory for the "Night at the Summit" package. The highlight of the stay is a tour of the two-meter Bernard Lyot telescope, the largest in France.You can also combine the trip to Pic du Midi with extreme sports. Astrophilic extreme skiers can make their own way down the vertiginous slope for no extra charge.Pic du Midi International Dark Sky Reserve, Rue Pierre Lamy de la Chapelle; +33 08 25 00 28 77; round trip cable car and visit of summit and museum from €36 ($49) per adult, 23€ ($31) per child 5-12 years, free for child up to 5 yearsBrecon Beacons National Park, UKDesignated February 2013Mars and Jupiter stand out brightly against the dark sky at Brecon Beacons, making them easy to spot without equipment.Using a telescope, you might see the Galilean satellites -- Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. The group of Jupiter's four largest moons was named in honor of Galileo Galilei who observed them more than 400 years ago.Sugar Loaf Mountain has the darkest skies on the reserve. Several small roads off the main A40 road lead up to the hill, more than 335 meters above sea level.The vantage point offers wide views over the Usk Valley from Abergavenny to Crickhowell.If you want to mix historic Welsh architecture with stargazing, you can enjoy the silhouette of the Llanthony Priory against the night sky. Parts of the ruins were converted into a hotel and pub.After a night of sky observation, you can step into the former Augustinian priory for authentic Welsh ale.Brecon Beacons National Park, Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way; +44 1874 624 437NamibRand Nature Reserve, NamibiaDesignated May 2012NamibRand Nature Reserve's location on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert has low humidity and therefore high night sky clarity.The closest town is Maltahöhe, 100 kilometers away. The shortest distance by road is 148 kilometers."The most interesting objects include the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, the Megellanic Clouds, the zodiacal light and planets," says Nils Odendaal, CEO of NamibRand Nature Reserve.Under NamibRand's exceptional viewing conditions, zodiacal light and gegenschein are visible.Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has the best night viewing facility. You can identify deep-sky objects with their 12-inch telescope, aided by their resident astronomer.In the heart of the reserve, Wolwedans campsites lend out smaller portable telescopes and provide guides trained in basic astronomy.Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, C27, Maltahöhe District; +27 11 8094300; packages from N$4,950 ($445)/person per nightWolwedans; +264 61 230 616; packages from N$3,310 ($297)/person per nightNamibRand Nature Reserve; +264 61 224882Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New ZealandDesignated June 2012Aoraki Mackenzie is privy to the best night sights of the southern hemisphere. You can see the Aurora Australis, the Southern Cross and the Southern Star.The reserve is the largest designated by the IDA so far at almost 4,300 square kilometers on the South Island of New Zealand.Tens of thousands of visitors each year take the night sky tours at Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook with providers such as Big Sky Stargazing and Mt John Night-time Observatory Tours.The best views of the starry sky are on nights with no moon. When the full moon is out, "conditions feel eerily like daytime," says Kristian Wilson, an astronomer at Earth and Sky, Lake Tekapo.At times, the Milky Way can be seen stretching across from one end of the horizon to the other, he says.Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, State Highway 80; +64 3 435 1186Exmoor National Park, UKDesignated October 2011Exmoor National Park was Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve when it was designated in 2011.On the clearest nights, around 3,000 stars are visible.The darkest skies in the UK are March and April, making them particularly good months for stargazing. During late summer, you have a good chance of seeing meteors.Wimbleball Lake has one of the best views of the night sky. It has unobstructed lakeside views and its distance from residential areas leave the sky above it nearly pristine.Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve, CanadaDesignated September 2007Mont-Mégantic was the first International Dark Sky Reserve when it was designated with Silver tier status in 2007."Approximately 50,000 people come to Mont-Megantic a year to appreciate the night sky phenomena," says Sébastian Giguère, head of communications at Mont-Mégantic."With the naked eye, [visitors can see] the Milky Way, planets, shooting stars, satellites, Andromeda Galaxy and sometimes Northern Lights."With telescopes: moon craters, galaxies, planets, nebulae (star nurseries, supernovae, planetary nebulae) and star clusters."For the best stargazing, the observatory at the summit has public telescopes strong enough to see craters on the moon's surface.Mont-Mégantic International Sky Reserve and ASTROLab, 189, Route du Parc, Notre-Dame-des-Bois, Québec; +1 819 888 2941International Dark Sky ParksBlue Ridge Observatory and Star Park, North CarolinaDesignated February 2014This new Dark Sky Park is managed by the Mayland Community College, which is building a custom 34-inch telescope and observatory.The equipment will be on the hill overlooking the EnergyXchange site and has a 360-degree view of the area."Views of the Milky Way from this site are simply stunning," says Todd Bush, a photographer of the night sky. "Future observers here will likely bask in its glow with the unaided eye."The telescope will be the largest in the southeastern U.S. dedicated to education and public outreach.The site is free for amateur astronomers and the college hopes to attract stargazers from around the area.Mayland Community College Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park; +1 828 675 5541Northumberland Dark Sky Park, UKDesignated December 2013Northumberland Dark Sky Park is home to Britain's largest sky viewing station, Kielder Observatory.When the sky is at its darkest in winter, deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy are visible with the naked eye. During summer, you can see the Milky Way, comets and meteors.Regular programs are led by astronomers at Kielder Observatory including telescope workshops, "Jupiter night" and family astronomy events.You can enjoy the best of Hadrian's Wall while stargazing. The dark sky park is in the central section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.Northumberland Dark Sky Park; +44 0 1434 605 555Kielder Observatory, Black Fell, off Shilling Pot; +44 0 7805 638 469Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New MexicoDesignated August 2013At Chaco, you can stargaze among ancient Pueblo ruins. Chacoan people observed the same night sky almost 1,000 years ago.With more than 99% of the park a "natural darkness zone," those afraid of the dark better bring a flashlight -- the regulations to conserve the night sky stipulate no permanent outdoor lighting.The park holds regular events and activities including archaeo-astronomy, public telescope viewing, Pueblo Bonito full moon walks and campfire astronomy. Special events are organized for phenomena such as eclipses and meteor showers.Chaco Culture National Historical Park; +1 505 786 7014 (x 221); $7 per vehicle or $4 per person valid for seven daysDeath Valley National Park, CaliforniaDesignated February 2013Death Valley National Park is the largest Dark Sky designated area with a span of 13,700 square kilometers.The near pristine night sky has minimal lighting impact from big cities despite being in the vicinity of Las Vegas (190 kilometers to the southeast) and Los Angeles (460 kilometers to the southwest).Death Valley park rangers lead night sky programs and events with astronomy organizations during the main visitor season from November to April.Mahogany Flat Campground is one of the highest areas you can stay overnight. Open between March and November, the site is 2,499 meters above sea level on Telescope Peak, the highest mountain in Death Valley National Park.Death Valley National Park; +1 760 786 3200; $20 per vehicle or $10 per person valid for seven daysBig Bend National Park, TexasDesignated February 2012Big Bend National Park is the Northern Hemisphere's southern-most International Dark Sky Park."We are relatively far south in latitude and at least three of the four stars in the Southern Cross and the Southern Star are viewable here," says David Elkowitz, chief of interpretation, partnership and concessions at Big Bend National Park.On a clear night, you can see the core of the Andromeda Galaxy. Around 2,000 stars are visible as well as meteors and planets -- Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.With an elevation of more than 1,600 meters, Chisos Basin Campground offers prime night viewing against the Chisos Mountain range.Bid Bend National Park; +1 432 477 2251; $20 per vehicle or $10 per person valid for seven daysMORE: How to get America's most crowded natural wonders to yourselfHeadlands International Dark Sky Park, MichiganDesignated May 2011Emmet County hosts various events to reconnect visitors with the night sky and star lore of North American indigenous cultures.Monthly programs are free and persist through rain, snow and clear night skies.Events include introductions to night sky watching technology, narrated guides to watching moon eclipses and moon gazing picnics.During the annual meteor showers such as the Quadrantids in January, the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December, you can watch the "falling stars" reflected in the waters of one of the Great Lakes.The stretch of shoreline along Lake Michigan makes the Headlands one of the best U.S. stargazing destinations.Headlands International Dark Sky Park; +1 231 348 1704; free admissionObservatory Park, Geauga Park District, OhioDesignated August 2011More than 8,200 people visited Observatory Park in 2013 for programs and night viewings with "astro-nats" -- the park's astronomy naturalists, says Sandy Ward, communications specialist for Geauga Park District.The open field encircled by the Planetary Trail offers unobstructed views where you can see the Milky Way and planets.You can view moon craters, constellations and nebulae using the park's telescopes or at the planetarium.Observatory Park; +1 440 286 9516(CNN)ANN.Az