Protecting Dark Skies AN ONGOING PROGRAM OF DILIGENCE AND
EDUCATION IN BORREGO SPRINGS CALIFORNIA Presented by Dr. James
Hoban Rickard, Member Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition Slide 2
Slide 3 Dark because of surrounding mountains, and lack of
freeways. Slide 4 Borrego Springs, winter residents = 5000 Slide 5
Borrego Springs is also known for its large metal sculptures by
artist Ricardo Breceda Slide 6 Borrego Springs at night. About 20
million residents of Southern California and Mexico Slide 7 Eastern
Horizon Slide 8 Western Horizon Note the band of Zodiacal Light
extending from the horizon to the Pleiades. Slide 9 Attending a
meeting from my summer home in Ireland via Skype Slide 10 Slide 11
Slide 12 Non-conforming Outdoor Light Dark Sky Friendly Light Slide
13 Shielded Lamp Unshielded Lamp Slide 14 Have Happy Neighbors!
Slide 15 Two Very Glaring Lights on Local ATM Slide 16 Simple
shielding to cut off sky glow and glare Slide 17 Glare
substantially reduced Slide 18 Street lamp glare reduced by simple
modification Slide 19 Slide 20 PROGRAM: Established by the Borrego
Springs Dark Sky Coalition, this program recognizes businesses and
organizations in the Borrego Valley that have night sky friendly
outdoor lighting, and encourages others to follow suit. GOAL: The
goal is to protect and preserve the treasured natural resource that
is the starry nighttime sky of Borrego Springs, recognized in 2009
as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association.
The program encourages the practice of responsible outdoor
lighting. VOLUNTARY PROGRAM: Participation is entirely voluntary.
Any business or organization in the area is eligible. 1 Slide 21
CRITERIA: A business or organization can qualify for recognition as
Night Sky Friendly by eliminating sources on their property of:
Skyglow light emitted into the sky, interfering with the view of
the stars; Glare excessive brightness produced by outdoor lighting;
Light Trespass light falling on other properties, irritating
neighbors And pledge that future outdoor lighting installed on its
premises will conform to the criteria above. PLEDGE: I (we) do
hereby promise to protect and preserve the treasured natural wonder
that is the starry night sky of Borrego Springs by practicing sound
outdoor lighting management with the goal of reducing light
pollution. 2 Slide 22 Borrego Springs Medical Center Recipient of
Night Sky Friendly Award this year 2013 Slide 23 When a business
performs a modification of its outdoor lighting, the Dark Sky
Coalition presents it with a Certificate of Merit. Slide 24 Thank
you. Enjoy the dark night sky!
