To Celebrate, Promote and To Celebrate, Promote and Protect the Glorious Starry SkiesProtect the Glorious Starry Skies
of Northern Arizona of Northern Arizona
“I can say from my own experience that one advertising searchlight can ruin the sky for …faint stars as much as 15 miles away. . . We had one such searchlight in Flagstaff a couple of year ago. We can say from experience that there is nothing you can do about them - the man with the searchlight has every legal right to ruin our sky with it.”
- Dr. Harold Johnson in a March 1958 letterto Dr. John Hall, USNO astronomer
STARGAZING NETS $250 MIL A YEAR FOR AZ ECONOMY
The sun, moon, stars and all the galaxies are showering Arizona with about $250 million in benefits a year.That's the estimated annual economic boost that the astronomy, space and planetary-science fields bring to the state from salaries, purchases, tourists, visiting scientists and construction, according to a study released by the Arizona Arts, Sciences and Technology Academy…
THE ISSUE: LIGHT POLLUTION
Arizona has black gold. Not oil. Darkness. The inky nights in this mountainous, desert state are worth big bucks. Astronomy is a big and growing field here. It brings government contracts, attracts outside researchers and spurs related industries, such as optics.
Starry nights are part of our tourist appeal: How many Arizonans have heard out-of-state visitors marvel over a far clearer view than they can get at home? National parks report a growing interest in nighttime activities, not only stargazing but also wildlife viewing.
1. Form a dark skies advocacy group.2. Have a meeting as somebody’s house.3. Using the Flagstaff ordinance as a model,
draft your own.
1. Form a dark skies advocacy group.2. Have a meeting as somebody’s house.3. Using the Flagstaff ordinance as a model,
draft your own.4. Meet individually with community leaders
and gather support.
1. Form a dark skies advocacy group.2. Have a meeting as somebody’s house.3. Using the Flagstaff ordinance as a model,
draft your own.4. Meet individually with community leaders
and gather support.5. Present it before community
organizations, especially business groups.
1. Form a dark skies advocacy group.2. Have a meeting as somebody’s house.3. Using the Flagstaff ordinance as a model,
draft your own.4. Meet individually with community leaders
and gather support.5. Present it before community
organizations, especially business groups.6. Meet with your political representatives
and seek support.
1. Form a dark skies advocacy group.2. Have a meeting as somebody’s house.3. Using the Flagstaff ordinance as a model,
draft your own.4. Meet individually with community leaders
and gather support.5. Present it before community
organizations, especially business groups.6. Meet with your political representatives
and seek support.7. Bring it before Council.