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With more places around the world recognizing the importance of preserving the night sky and protecting it from city lights, Flagstaff’s reputation as a top spot for astrotourism continues to grow.

Flagstaff became the first city in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Place in 2001, and since then more than 200 other locations, including 55 cities, have followed the city’s lead in achieving the designation.

In addition to being the first, Flagstaff still holds another distinction in being the most populous International Dark Sky City in the world.

While places from Antelope, Oregon, to Xichong, Shenzhen in China, now carry the designation, none are as large as Flagstaff, with approximately 80,000 residents cooperating to preserve the night sky.

Flagstaff also is a key astrotourism destination because of its proximity to other International Dark Sky Places, including all three Flagstaff-area national monuments � Walnut Canyon, Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano, as well as Grand Canyon National Park, just a 90-minute drive away.

What does it mean to be a designated an International Dark Sky Place? These are locations around the world certified by DarkSky International for meeting the not-for-profit group’s criteria for protecting the night sky and minimizing light pollution with public policies/ordinances and public education.

The benefits of Flagstaff’s collective efforts are significant and visible on any clear night. Looking up, even from the heart of downtown, will reveal more stars, planets and celestial objects than many people can see. This includes the Milky Way when it is in view, something that 80% of people in the U.S. can’t see from home because of light pollution.

That well-preserved dark sky is what makes Flagstaff a top spot for astrotourism. Here are a few other ways to reconnect to the night sky.

Visit Lowell Observatory

The recently completed Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center has added significantly to the hilltop observatory that overlooks Flagstaff. With 40,000 square feet of new space, visitors can explore the origins of the universe and learn how astronomers research the possibility of life on other planets.

Flagstaff’s dark skies play a key role in the new museum thanks to the rooftop Dark Sky Planetarium, decked out with heated, reclining seats where guests can enjoy the night sky. Astronomers guide visitors through places in space where researchers estimate the probability of life is high in a new, 30-minute program called “Strange New Worlds.�

Lowell’s other attractions include the Giovale Open Deck Observatory where visitors can use six modern telescopes to view celestial objects, and historic telescopes, including the equipment used to discover Pluto in 1930. When the weather is clear and calm, visitors can even look through the nearly 130-year-old Clark Refractor used to study Mars and to map the moon before the U.S. missions there.

Attend a star party

Keep an eye out for star parties in and around Flagstaff. Guests are invited to nighttime events where astronomers offer presentations on the night sky and telescopes are available for viewing celestial objects.

Novice stargazers are encouraged at these events, as one of the primary goals is to increase awareness of dark skies. Attendees are encouraged to bring a red light and avoid white flashlights and phone lights, which hinder night vision.

Grand Canyon is hosting a star party June 21-28. This free event is available to anyone visiting the National Park during these times, and the park entrance fee is good for both South and North Rim events for seven days.

The event begins at sunset, though prime viewing is anticipated between about 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. More information: .

The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition also hosts an annual Star Party in fall, scheduled this year for Sept. 25-27 at Buffalo Park. This year’s Celebration of the Night events will include in-person and online presentations and music under the stars. More information: .

Additional astrotourism activities in and near Flagstaff include:

� Visiting the nearly mile-wide Meteor Crater, east of Flagstaff off Interstate 40. Guests can walk the rim of this massive crater and enjoy a museum exploring meteors and other space objects. More information: .

— Scheduling a visit to the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, which has a model geologic rover, or “grover” used to train astronauts for moon missions. Every astronaut who has walked the moon trained in Flagstaff, and those trainings involved this U.S.G.S. facility. Tours are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. by emailing [email protected].

� Exploring the Cinder Lakes Crater Fields near Flagstaff, where N.A.S.A. and the U.S. Geological Survey blasted craters to simulate the moon’s surface for astronaut training. Visitors can now walk in the astronauts� footsteps in these fields. More information: .