These are the darkest skies in all 50 states to catch meteor showers, eclipses, comets, and other space events

Map of the US at night lit up.HUM Images / Contributor / Getty Images

• The Perseid meteor shower lights up the sky this weekend.
• Dark sky parks and IDA-certified locations are the best places to view this show and many others.

Light pollution, which is caused by artificial lights glaring into the night sky can impact your chance of seeing comets, distant planets, and meteor showers — like the spectacular Perseids meteor shower peaking this weekend.

So in order to give yourself the best shot at seeing any cosmic show, you might want to head to an area that limits night lights. These are often officially zoned "dark sky parks", which have clear views of the night sky when the weather permits.

There is even an International Dark-Sky Association, which can dole out an official dark sky park status. Only the clearest of night skies, unimpeded by light pollution, are allowed the honorable IDA-certified title.

Over half of the 50 US states have at least one location that's IDA-certified. And some states, like Utah and Michigan, have many. We've compiled a list of some of the darkest places in each US state for the best front-row seats to any celestial show.