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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2020)
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 21 Commentary... Battling light pollution with growth By Ramsey Schar Correspondent People in Sisters have the increasingly unique opportu- nity of being able to gaze at clear night skies full of stars. However, with the local pop- ulation rising, outdoor light- ing needs to be implemented in an intentional way so that light bulbs are shielded by opaque coverings that direct the light down where it is intended and hide the source of the light (as is outlined in the Sisters City Dark Sky Standard and the Deschutes County Lighting Ordinance). Otherwise, increased light pollution will obscure the ability to see such a vast array of stars, including the beauti- ful Milky Way Galaxy, which most people in the world are now unable to see because artificial lights wash out their view of the night sky. With civilization develop- ing continuously, artificial lighting has also increased, causing light pollution. Light pollution results from human-sourced artificial lighting, and is exacerbated by lights that are misdirected, pointing light out or up into the air. It creates p ro b lems for humans and wildlife. Currently, 80 percent of Americans live under light- polluted skies. This pol- lution is growing at an annual rate of more than six percent in larger cities. Even in darker areas like Sisters, people see the light domes of neighboring com- munities on the horizon. According to the International Dark-Sky Association, about 40 percent of the light we use in the U.S. is wasted by being directed into the air. Excessive and improper lighting threat- ens our night-sky heritage, disrupts our sleep patterns, endangers nocturnal habitats, wastes energy and money, and decreases security. However, unlike many forms of pollution, light pollution is easy to reduce, simply by using appropriately directed lighting, or turning off lights when they are not needed. In order to raise aware- ness about the value of pre- serving dark skies and the issue of light pollution in our community, the Sisters High School Astronomy Club and the Oregon International Dark-Sky Association are partnering to present a show- ing of the documentary film <Saving the Dark.= This film will be showing free to the public on Wednesday, January 15, at Sisters Movie House at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. Saving the Dark focuses panel discussion, with spe- on the need to preserve night cial guests representing dif- skies and addresses ways ferent perspectives in our to lower light pollution. In community. This question- addition, it informs the audi- and-answer discussion will ence about how to increase be held directly follow- business and home security ing the film. Information as well as overall safety at will also be available from night with the use of effec- the International Dark- tive outdoor lighting. Sky Association, Sisters The director of the film, Astronomy Club, and the Sriram Murali, has shown Oregon Observatory. Paul his passion for astronomy, Allen Bennett will also night skies, and raising have his book <Night Skies= awareness about light pollu- available for purchase. tion through his film. Sriram had little exposure to astronomy and the issue of light pollution grow- ing up, which is what inspired him to make this film. He created it in collabora- tion with the International D a r k - S k y Association (IDA) and is devoted to help- ing protect our nighttime environment. The SHS Astronomy Club members hope to encourage dialogue about how to main- tain our dark PHOTO BY KRIS KRISTOVICH skies and reduce light pollution Efforts to maintain dark skies over Sisters are in our commu- critical to maintain views of the Milky Way Galaxy nity through a over the Three Sisters. Ross Kennedy Principal Broker Loan Originator NMLS #1612019 541-408-1343 We have served Central Oregon for over 30 years C o m m e rc i a l | R e s i d e n t i a l | F a r m | L a n d Land & Homes Real Estate 541-923-0855 560 NW Birch Ave., Redmond LICENSED BROKERS IN THE STATE OF OREGON Sandy Goodsell Jonathan Hicks Principal Broker Principal Broker ABR, CDPE, CIAS, GRI, SRES 541-480-0183 865-335-6104 jwhicks000@ sandygoodsell@ gmail.com gmail.com Astronomy Club to screen ‘Saving the Dark’ The Sisters High School Astronomy Club is partner- ing with the International Dark-Sky Association to put on a showing of the docu- mentary <Saving the Dark= at the Sisters Movie House on January 15 at 7 p.m. This is a free event for the public, and through this film the club hopes to raise awareness about the issue of light pollution in the Sisters community and introduce new ways on how to reduce it. The club will host a panel discussion after the film in order to hear what different people from our community have to say about this issue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the panel dis- cussion, there will be music and Paul Alan Bennett9s book <Night Sky= will be available for purchase.
