4 ms·
I used to live in an RV & cabins park in a very dark area, actually inside of the radius of the Very Large Array radio telescope. As part of a barter arrangemen
by progne 3y ago
I used to live in an RV & cabins park in a very dark area, actually inside of the radius of the Very Large Array radio telescope. As part of a barter arrangement I made a website for the park. On the site I pitched the park as a destination for amateur astronomers. Come camp inside of a telescope! We put up some Google ads to that effect.
I don't think they ever got a nibble from that. It turns out that the population of amateur astronomers willing to drive long distances to dark spots isn't all that large.
But this is the internet, and a niche interest can have a significant following, and you're not trying to make a bunch of money with this. So from us dark sky lovers, thanks.
- zf00002 3y agoMaybe because you were already in New Mexico which has some pretty good dark areas? I'm up in Santa Fe, I don't need to drive long to get fairly dark.
- progne 3y agoYes. Also I think we astronuts tend to avoid campgrounds (too many people with lights) and motels (we're up all night). A piece of remote public land is just more suited to the purpose.
- Zancarius 3y agoWe also have state-wide anti-light pollution regulations on the books[1]; unfortunately, enforcement is spotty and depends on the community. Where I live (southern NM) we've had a steady influx of people from out of state, and the first thing they tend to do is install outdoor security lighting that is in clear violation of the NSPA. All that to say that I have noticed that some of the newcomers who were in violation may have been reported since their fixtures are now turned off after 11pm. So, enforcement does happen; it just takes time. Thankfully, we have a few astronomers in the community! (The one deficiency in the NSPA is that it defines fixtures based on wattage rather than lumens. There have been efforts to change this language, but they've stalled.) [1] http://www.darkskynm.org/lightinglaws.html http://www.darkskynm.org/lightinglaws.html
- lp251 3y agoI moved from Santa Fe County (Rancho Viejo area) to the Denver metro area and am sad every time I go outside at night. We could see the Milky Way most nights. The NM sky is amazing during the day, too. Such a vibrant blue!
- digging 3y ago> I don't think they ever got a nibble from that. It turns out that the population of amateur astronomers willing to drive long distances to dark spots isn't all that large. That's quite surprising to me as a person who occasionally will drive long distances just to see the dark night sky without a telescope. But I guess any group looks well populated from the inside. I suppose amateur astronomers with good equipment can get quite nice views where they live, though.
- rqtwteye 3y agoThe distances in New Mexico are huge and not much population.
- rqtwteye 3y agoThe Cosmic Campground is pretty close and they often have guys with telescopes there.
- progne 3y agoThat is an unfortunately unique place.