Michael Strahan Explores Big Bend National Park’s Dark Sky Reserve

On January 23, 2026, ABC News hosted Michael Strahan as he toured Big Bend National Park in Texas. The visit, part of the “50 States in 50 Weeks” series, highlights the park’s recent designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve, a rare honor that protects its pristine night skies. Strahan points out observatory sites, explains the criteria for the Reserve status, and showcases the Milky Way across the Chisos Ridge. The segment underscores the park’s rugged desert landscape, 13,000‑sq‑mi area, and its role in ecological and astronomical preservation. Viewers hear the park’s 4,000 unique star phenacies and appreciate the planet’s visible galaxy now safe from light pollution.