4 ms·
Maybe 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.
by zf00002 3y ago
Maybe 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!