Annual Meeting Saturday January 21, 2012

All MBCA members and supporters are encouraged to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday morning, January 21, at the Joshua Tree Community Center, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. What will you learn? You’ll hear what MBCA accomplished last year, what we’re planning for 2012 (and how you can help!), and as a bonus, a very timely update from members of the Morongo Basin Dark Skies Alliance.

The alliance is focused on promoting energy-saving lighting and improving the San Bernardino County lighting ordinance. Come to hear their creative proposal to improve the chances of maintaining our precious dark night skies and saving energy in the Morongo Basin.

 

The Milky Way over Hidden Valley image courtesy of Wally Pacholka

Why we need dark skies

The Morongo Basin Dark Skies Alliance is one of several local groups working hard on a new county ordinance that would reduce light pollution and enhance our night skies. Why do we need dark skies?
 Effective use of outdoor lighting that casts light onto the ground (and not up into the air) is important for a number of reasons:

1. Save money and energy.
2. Improve security. Bright lights create deep shadows and provide hiding places for criminals.
3. Improve the environment. A recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows excessive night lighting inhibits the breakdown of smog.
4. Improve your health and sleep better.
5. Tourism. Our dark night skies attract astronomers and tourists from around the world.
6. Wildlife. Excessive night lighting impact the health and behavior of animals.

For more information visit the Morongo Basin Dark Skies Alliance. Turn out a light... See the Night!

Partying with the stars

The Andromeda Society will host a Star Party on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Find out more here.

Our deep and starry night skies are one of the finest and most valuable assets of the Morongo Basin. Careless lighting needlessly threatens this resource. Learn more about why dark skies matter and how to keep the stars shining on the Lighting Issues pages of the MBCA Website. There you'll also find copies of the Lighting Ordinances for Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, and the County areas, and learn how to use them.

Besides hosting regular star parties in the Park, the amateur astronomers of the local Andromeda Society also publish a monthly round-up of celestial movements on their Website.