It Takes Work To Keep Our Skies Dark !!!

by Robert Callanan

 

Here is a summary of last year’s activities by the Southern Arizona Section of the International Dark Sky Association (SA-IDA).

 

JANUARY: Old business: City of Tucson Lighting Code and County Billboard Codes.  New business: developing an improved  dark sky meter.

 

FEBRUARY:  SAIDA awarded a $25 prize to a TAAA member for the best improvement in outdoor lighting at  their home.  Plans were made to provide judges and prizes at the Science Fair.

 

MARCH:  Dark skies education for Earth Day at the U. of A. Two “Dark Sky” evenings at the Desert Museum. The newly opened Marriott Hotel at Starr Pass has large unshielded light globes, which  violate the spirit of the Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code.

 

APRIL:  The Dean of Architecture at the U of A is interested in developing outdoor lighting courses. The problem of light fixtures which permit unwanted light to trespass was addressed, especially numerous ones in the Three Points area. 

 

MAY:  U. of A. College of Architecture announced the formation of the Sustainable Lighting Committee (SLC).  The impetus came from an award presented to President Likins by SAIDA  for improvements made to University outdoor lighting. SAIDA is a founding partner.

 

JUNE:  Tucson Airport Authority was contacted about their outdoor lighting and they agreed to make several improvements. 

 

JULY:  An article was submitted to the Benson newspaper. Also, SAIDA members attended a Benson Council meeting and spoke in support of their proposed outdoor lighting ordinance.  

AUGUST: Plans were made to attend the Ironwood Harvest Moon Celebration hosted by Pima County Parks.

 

SEPTEMBER: A Mars party with telescopes was planned for Oct 29 to promote public interest in dark skies.

 

OCTOBER:  The Rio Nuevo project was discussed. Because Flandreau Planetarium plans to relocate its telescope there, it will take a great deal of planning to minimize sky glow.

 

NOVEMBER: The Police and Sheriff departments need to be educated the about outdoor lighting of dark areas. Excessive light, especially that which glares, is not the best solution regarding public safety. 

 

DECEMBER:  Plans for the 2006. SAIDA needs to work with local retailers to promote the sales of dark sky friendly lighting fixtures; also, the use of motion sensors so that outdoor lights will only shine when actually needed; finally, adding shields to existing outdoor lights.

 

SAIDA NEEDS MORE HELP FROM MORE TAAA MEMBERS.  AFTERALL, WE WILL ALL BENEFIT FROM DARK SKIES IN OUR AREA !!!

 

Submitted by:

John Polacheck

President of SAIDA

 

For more information, go to:

            www.sa-ida.org

 

Or feel free contact me personally:

E-mail:   jpolach@dakotacom.net

            Telephone: 743-1362

 

SAIDA meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the IDA office located at 3225 N. First Ave, just North of Ft. Lowell. And…..

 

WE USUALLY HAVE PIZZA !!!