The Importance of Night Sky Quality at Acadia National Park

Night Sky Narratives – Interview Transcript (Park Visitors)
Hi, my name is _______. I’m from the University of Vermont Park Studies Laboratory. We’re
helping the National Park Service gather information about night sky experiences at national
parks. Could I ask you a few questions about your experiences related to the night skies?
Participation is voluntary and your responses will be anonymous.
If No: Thank you for considering the request. Have a good day.
If Yes: I’d like to record our conversation so I can remember it later. Is this OK with you?

Introduction
We are interested in hearing about your experiences with night skies, and about any night sky
related activities you’ve done at this national park. We’d also like to hear any stories you have
about your night sky experiences. When we use the term “night skies,” we mean the time from
evening sunset, through nighttime, and into morning sunrise.

Night Skies and Your National Park Experience
First, I’d like to ask you about whether you notice night skies, and what you notice.
Topic Area 1: Respondents’ Characteristics and Knowledge
1. How often, in everyday life, do you take notice of features in the night sky, or events
happening in the night sky?
Topic Area 3: ACT17 and ACT 18
2. Are there any aspects of night skies that are of special interest or importance to you? Which
ones, and why these?
Topic Area 1: Respondents’ Characteristics and Knowledge
3. Do you know any myths or legends related to night skies? Can you tell me one or two?
Topic Area 4: Preferences/Motives/Attitudes
4. Do night skies have any specific cultural or spiritual meanings to you?
Topic Area 3: ACT17
5. Have you done anything special at this national park to enjoy the night skies? Have you
participated in any programs at the park, or gone out on your own or with others to specifically
look at or experience the night sky?
Probes: What did you do, when, with whom?
Did you like the programs you took part in? Why, why not?

Memories and Special Experiences of Night Skies
Now I’d like to talk about experiences you have had that were related to the night sky.
Topic Area 3: ACT1
6. In the past, have you ever done any of the following:
Used binoculars to look at the night sky?
Used a telescope to look at the night sky?
Visited an observatory or a planetarium?
Taken pictures of sunrise, sunset, or the night sky?
Probe: Could you share some memorable stories about any of these activities?
Topic Area 3: Trip Behaviors
7. Could you describe any times in your life when you’ve had meaningful experiences related to
night skies? What happened, and what do you remember most?
Describe any childhood / adult experiences related to the night sky.
Do you know anyone else who especially liked the night sky? What do they like most
about the night sky? What is your relation to them?
Probe: Could you share some stories / memories about any of these times?

Night Skies and the Future
Finally, I’d like to finish up with some general questions about night skies.
Topic Area 3: Trip Behaviors
8. Why do you think people are interested in seeing features of night skies, or learning about
night skies?
Topic Area 6: Evaluations/Opinions of Services, Facilities, and Management
9. To what extent is the quality of the night sky important to you? That is, how important is it to
see the stars clearly, or sunrises and sunsets?
Topic Area 3: LEARN3
10. Is there anything you would like to do in the future to learn more about or experience the
night sky features that interest you?
Topic Area 6: EVALSERV16
11. How might the National Park Service contribute to or improve your experiences with night
skies here at this park? Any suggestions for night sky-related activities or programming?
Topic Area 6: EVALSERV16
12. How might communities around the park contribute to or improve your experiences with
night skies?

Added this questions per OMB suggestion
13. Do you have any concerns with the impacts of lighting restrictions and other management
actions on your enjoyment of the park?