Dark Skies In Westcliffe/Silver Cliff
For many centuries, dark skies filled with billions of twinkling stars was taken as a matter of fact. Shepherds, nomads, farmers and travelers used the sky to guide them and teach them. The movements and cycles of the heavens were well-known and closely observed by all. But, as populations have grown, first candle light and now electric lights have slowly started to block out the night sky with their light domes.
Until recently, there were only eight places in the world “certified” as “Dark Sky Communities” by the International Dark-Skies Association headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. They are:
· Flagstaff, Arizona
· Borregos Springs, California
· Isle of Sark, Channel Islands
· Homer Glen, Illinois
· Isle of Coll, Scotland
· Dripping Springs, Texas
· Beverly Shores, Indiana
· Sedona, Arizona
This month, my town of Westcliffe joined by its next-door neighbor Silver Cliff were awarded the certificate making them the ninth on the list. In their press release, the IDA wrote: “In recent years, the dark night skies over the towns have come to be recognized by locals as a natural resource worth preserving. situated between the Wet Mountain and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, the towns are protected from the most significant source of light pollution in the region coming from cities along Interstate 25 to the east. The small population, largely rural setting, and limited outdoor lighting have kept the night skies over Westcliffe and Silver Cliff in relatively pristine condition. To keep it this way, each town council adopted a comprehensive outdoor lighting ordinance.”
Being an avid amateur astronomer, the dark skies over the valley was a big selling point for us when we were searching for a place to retire. I grew up on a rural farm in Texas and enjoyed the dark sky there and missed it when we moved to town and since then working in large cities. There is nothing like being able to roll your telescope out on the garage pad and explore the wonders of a “pristine” night sky.”
Getting certified was no small task. The local Dark Skies Association worked for years to insure that the small towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff used the proper lighting and that the community was aware of the amazing natural resource we have here. “I am glad we went through the whole effort,” said local Dark Skies president, Jim Bradburn, in an interview with the Wet Mountain Tribune. “I am relieved that we were approved and now I am busy writing thank you notes to everyone who helped.”
In addition to the communities, the IDA also recognizes Parks. Here is that distinguished list:
Natural Bridges National Monument
Utah, USA
2007
Cherry Springs State Park
Pennsylvania, USA
2008
Galloway Forest Park
Scotland, UK
2009
Zselic National Landscape Protection Area
Hungary
2009
Goldendale Observatory Park
Washington, USA
2010
Clayton Lake State Park
New Mexico, USA
2010
Hortobagy National Park
Hungary
2011
Observatory Park
Ohio, USA
2011
The Headlands
Michigan, USA
2011
Big Bend National Park
Texas, USA
2012
Death Valley National Park
California, USA
2013
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
New Mexico, USA
2013
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water Forest Park
Northumberland, England
2013
Eifel International Dark Sky Park
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
2014
Provisional
Mayland Community College Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park
North Carolina, USA
2014
Parashant International Night Sky Province
Arizona, USA
2014
Hovenweep National Monument
Utah-Colorado, USA
2014
Copper Breaks State Park
Texas, USA
2014
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Texas, USA
2014
Oracle State Park
Arizona, USA
2014
A gold star represents an exceptionally pristine sky coupled with dark skies education and preservation of the nighttime environment. I’m sure that the ancient Native Americans would be shocked by the light pollution in the Americas today. As I have joked in past articles, the night sky was their HD, 3D, big screen.
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