Dark Skies

The night sky has fascinated and entertained people throughout the ages. Today it is one of our critical vanishing treasures. Urban sprawl, population growth, and light pollution are rapidly changing our ability to see the stars, meteor showers, and planets. Light pollution is most often caused by excessive, inefficient, or misdirected outdoor lighting. This "sly glow" is brighter than starlight and hides all but the brightest features.

"Protecting dark night skies in our national parks is as vital as protecting clean air, water, wildlife, and the sounds of nature. Stargazing is a connection to humanity's earliest curiosity about our place in the universe. Clear night vistas in our national parks are an important resource that is literally fading from sight." ~ Thomas C. Kiernan, "National Parks" July/August 1999, Natonal Parks and Conservation Association

You can help reduce light pollution:

1. Use lights at night only when necessary.
2. Select well-shielded lighting fixtures.
3. Replace inefficient mercury vapor lights with low pressure sodium lights.
4. Encourage lighting ordinances for your community.

 

To read the article "Vanishing Dark Skies," click on this link or copy it to your browser.
https://books.google.com/books?id=zjIiR2kUUckC&pg=PA22&dq=National+Parks+vanishing+dark+skies+
July/August+1999&hl=en&sa=X&ei=b3ZJVdyZMYazoQTHyIHACA&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false