Wednesday, January 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
21
Saving the Dark film was a hit in Sisters, encore showing on tap
By Ron Thorkildson
Correspondent
Finding a parking space
in the vicinity of the Sisters
Movie House last Wednesday
evening, January 15, was a
more difficult task than nor-
mal for a weeknight. A likely
reason for this was, besides
the usual number of mid-
week moviegoers, others from
the Central Oregon region
converged in Sisters to view
a special movie about how to
preserve our dark skies. And it
was free of charge.
The film is a documentary
entitled <Saving the Dark=
with a purpose to raise aware-
ness of ever-increasing levels
of light pollution worldwide
that are degrading humanity9s
ability to see the stars. The
excessive light also creates
health problems for humans
and wildlife. Currently, about
80 percent of Americans live
under light-polluted skies,
and the situation is worsening
by more than six percent per
year in large cities. Even here
in Sisters people can see the
growing light domes of neigh-
boring communities.
The movie explained cor-
rective measures that can
be taken to reduce, or even
reverse, the spread of light
pollution and create a safer
night environment. New
research stresses that more
light is not necessarily safer.
What is most important for
safe lighting is deliberately
lighting the desired area while
limiting glare.
Some things that can
increase outdoor safety and
simultaneously reduce light
pollution include using lamps
that produce warm-colored
light (less than 3,000 kelvins).
The more red-orange colored
light is not as harsh on the
eyes and doesn9t inhibit the
production of melatonin (a
hormone that helps people
and animals sleep) as much
as white-blue light. Making
sure lights are fully shielded
behind opaque barriers that
direct light downward and
prevent glare from the light
bulb and that are installed
as low to the ground as pos-
sible, minimize light being
sent into the sky and into
areas that don9t need to be lit.
Using motion sensors to sig-
nal when someone is present,
and keeping the lights off as
much as possible increases
safety because when the light
is on, that indicates someone
is present.
Any time lights can safely
be turned off, wild animals
benefit.
The film was created
and directed by Sriram
Murali in collaboration
with the International Dark-
Sky Association (IDA).
Murali had little exposure
to observational astronomy
growing up because his night
sky was aglow with bright
lights. Yet it was this fact that
inspired him to make the film.
The Sisters showing of
Saving the Dark was planned
and implemented by Sisters
High School student Ramsey
Schar, co-president of the
SHS Astronomy Club, in
partnership with the Oregon
IDA, Sisters Astronomy Club
(SAC), Sisters Movie House,
the Sisters Science Club, and
local artist Paul Allen Bennett.
Schar embraced the oppor-
tunity to take on this proj-
ect as part of her Astronomy
Independent Study class. She
is passionate about astronomy
and preserving dark skies.
Many others from the SHS
Astronomy Club and SAC
also contributed their time
and talents to help make the
event a smashing success.
As a prologue to the
movie, artist, author and
songwriter Paul Allen Bennett
entertained the audience with
a couple of musical numbers,
while playing his ukulele, that
referred to the joys of being
able to observe the starry
realm above and how to help
keep it dark. After the pro-
ceedings, he made his book
<Night Skies= available for
purchase.
Following the hour-
long movie, the audience
was invited to stay for a
question-and-answer ses-
sion with a panel of special
guests who represented dif-
ferent perspectives in the
community. The panel con-
sisted of Brent Crosswhite,
Sisters9 school resource offi-
cer of the Deschutes County
Sheriff9s Department; Patrick
Davenport, community devel-
opment director of the City of
Sisters; Peyton Griffin, wild-
life biologist and member
of Sisters Science Club; and
Mary Ann Kruse of Oregon
IDA.
People asked questions
regarding what to do about
overly bright and <glary=
lights on or near private
homes. Although Sisters has
a Dark Sky Standard and
Deschutes County has its own
lighting ordinance, compli-
ance is usually complaint
driven. Talking with neigh-
bors and friends about proper
outdoor lighting can help
people understand the value
of our dark skies and the abil-
ity to see the stars here. Lack
of awareness of the City and
County regulations often
drive noncompliance.
Davenport fielded some
tough questions about why
Sisters hasn9t been using more
fully shielded outdoor lights.
Apparently the excessively
bright streetlights on Cascade
Avenue was the result of a
decision made by the Oregon
Department of
Transportation
that overrode
the desires of
the City.
Griffin iter-
ated that even
minor amounts
of light can put
stress on many
wild organisms
in the local eco-
GRAPHIC PROVIDED
systems. The
message here is Illustration shows worst to best examples of outdoor lighting.
turn off outdoor
lights whenever possible.
For those who were Sisters High School begin-
Using motion sensors that unable to attend the event ning at 6:30 p.m. Admission
dim or turn lights off at differ- last Wednesday, or were is free. The film can also be
ent times might help. The use turned away at the door viewed for free on YouTube.
of warmer colored lights was because the theater was The IDA website, darksky.
encouraged.
full, another showing of org, gives more informa-
The showing of Saving the the film will take place on tion about dark-sky friendly
Dark at Sisters Movie House Wednesday, February 5 at lighting.
last Wednesday drew an over-
flow crowd. With a seating
capacity of 116, others seek-
ing entrance had to be turned
away. This is a testament to
those who worked hard to get
the word out via TV, radio
and the printed page weeks
in advance. It is also an indi-
~ Your Dentist in Sisters Since 1993 ~
cation that more people care
We are here to help you smile with confi dence!
about preserving our precious
dark skies here in Central
541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters
Oregon.
Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben
General, Cosmetic, Implant
and Family Dentistry
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