www.IDAHODARKSKY.

org

– Frank Church, U.S. Senator The Dark Side of Light Pollution

star-studded summer sky.”
an Idaho mountainside under a Energy – According to the U.S Department of Energy,
about 35% of light is wasted by unshielded and poorly
spending the night in the open on aimed lighting. That amounts to $3.3 billion and 21 million
self important in the morning after tons of carbon dioxide per year.
“I never knew a man who felt Heritage – Humans throughout history have looked up
at the natural night sky with awe and curiosity. The starry
sky has provided navigation assistance, spurred scientific
endeavors, and inspired artists, poets, and stargazers.

YOU CAN HELP MINIMIZE LIGHT POLLUTION Welcome to

PHOTO BY PETER LOVER A

Very Bad Bad Better Best
W e’ve all learned about land, water, and air
pollution but have you ever thought about light
pollution? The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
website defines light pollution as the inappropriate or
excessive use of manmade light and explains some
surprising consequences linked to the increasing light
pollution in our world.
Some common types of light pollution include glaring or
bright lights that impair our eyesight and actually make it
harder to see objects directly in the glare. Light trespass
occurs when light intended for one purpose impacts
adjacent places or people. The familiar sky glow that
lights up the sky over cities and brightly lit businesses is
another example of light pollution.
THE EFFECTS OF LIGHT POLLUTION
Human health – Excessive artificial light at night affects
our circadian rhythm, the biological clock that guides our
daily routine to sleep, wake, and eat. Living with constant
light increases risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders,
diabetes, breast cancer, and more.
Wildlife – Many creatures including amphibians, birds,
mammals, insects, and plants are affected by artificial
light. It disturbs sleep patterns, affects pollination, and
interferes with reproduction
The good news about light pollution is that it is easier to
resolve than other forms of pollution. You can literally just
flip a switch to make a difference!
1. Inspect the lighting around your home. Turning off
unnecessary lights reduces light pollution, saves you money,
and cuts energy use.
Light Trespass Light where needed
2. Use dark-sky friendly lighting at your home and
business. Install fixtures or shields that direct light
downward on areas that need illumination, thereby limiting
light trespass, glare, and up-lighting into the night sky.
Choose bulbs for outdoor lights that provide warm white
light with a yellow glow rather than cool blue light.
3. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors. You
can find resources on our website to help in your efforts to
encourage and educate others about light pollution.
4. Advocate for a lighting ordinance in your town or
area. Contact your local government to see if there is an
existing ordinance or how you can help them explore options.
Want more information? Check out www.darksky.org/
lighting/lighting-basics/
the Central Idaho
Dark Sky Reserve!
H ere in the heart of central Idaho, we celebrate our
pristine night sky as part of our heritage and a treasure
worth preserving for our children and future generations.
Whether you use your eyes or binoculars or a telescope, you
will find it is truly humbling to view planets, the Milky Way,
meteors, comets, and even deep sky objects.
Across the country, more than 80 percent of people reside
in cities and urban areas where light pollution dilutes and
distorts their view of the stars. Research shows the Milky
Way is hidden from view of more than one-third of the
world’s population.
The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a treasured resource
for local residents and for all Idahoans and visitors from
across the world who come to experience the wonder
of the starry night sky. The Reserve is the result of a
collective commitment by communities, public land managers,
and private landowners to support the dark sky experience.
Remember to look up at the stars and
not down at your feet. Try to make
sense of what you see, wonder about
what makes the universe exist.
Dr. Stephen Hawking, Theoretical Physicist

Source: www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages

COEUR
D’ALENE
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LEWISTON

PHOTO BY NILS RIBI

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The FIRST
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International Dark Sky

STANLEY 75
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15 Artificial night sky brightness in the mid 1970s Artificial night sky brightness in 1997
21
SUN VALLEY

Reserve in the U.S.

KETCHUM
IDAHO
BOISE FALLS

Central Idaho and the Reserve

20

84 POCATELLO
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84 15
he International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) designated
the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in December
www.IDAHODARKSKY.org
# idahodarksky
T he Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses
906,000 acres (1,416 square miles) most of which is
public lands within the Sawtooth National Forest. The
Learn about the Night Sky with our
Partners !
2017, the twelfth such reserve worldwide. IDA awarded
the area Gold Tier status, their highest ranking for night sky
Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA) is quality. For more information about other Dark Sky Re-
Reserve includes portions of Blaine, Boise, Custer and
based in Stanley in the heart of the Reserve and operates serves, go to www.darksky.org.
Elmore counties, the communities of Stanley, Lower
PARTNERS Stanley, Smiley Creek, Ketchum and Sun Valley. Central the Redfish Visitor Center and Stanley Museum. SIHA The designation represents nearly two decades of planning
R VI
NG
AND PRO
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C Idaho constitutes one of the last large ‘pools’ of natural offers activities for children and adults during the summer efforts and policy decisions by city and county leaders, local
SE T

IDAHO months including star parties, Jr Ranger programs and a

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nighttime darkness left in the United States.

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businesses and organizations, and public land managers.

CONSERVATION lecture series. (www.discoversawtooth.org)
LEAGUE Working together, these partners continue to focus on
The Reserve has as its core parts of three designated
Sawtooth Botanical Garden, south of Ketchum, hosts preserving the quality of the night-time environment and
wilderness areas and is situated in the spectacular scenery
AU
GUS
T 22, 19
7 2

of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (NRA).
The designation of the Reserve is a particularly good fit
within the recreation area, as it supports the area’s
enabling legislation.
In 1972, Congress established the 756,000-acre Sawtooth
NRA with the passage of Public Law 92-400 which sought
to preserve and protect the Area’s “natural, scenic, historic,
pastoral, and fish and wildlife values and to provide for the
enhancement of the recreation values associated therewith.”
Preserving the natural night sky complements all of these
values and contributes to the solitude and primitive quality
of the associated Wilderness areas.
©2018 Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
Cover photo by Ed Cannady
periodic night sky programs throughout the year ranging
from astrophotography to constellation mythology.
(www.sbgarden.org)
Local Astronomy Clubs and Societies
Boise Astronomical Society www.boiseastro.org
Idaho Falls Astronomical Society www.ifastro.org
Magic Valley Astronomical Society www.mvastro.org
For my part I know nothing with
any certainty but the sight of
the stars makes me dream.
Vincent van Gogh, Artist
reducing the impact of light pollution in the area.
Through our combined efforts, we are working to:
• Preserve and enhance the natural nighttime experience
to improve quality of life.
• Highlight the economic benefits associated with dark sky
compliant lighting—from energy savings to tourism revenue.
• Conserve our robust nocturnal ecosystems and support
the needs of wildlife.
• Enhance local scientific and educational opportunities
through astronomy and other natural studies.
• Promote our dark skies as a unique community asset and
part of our local and national heritage
 Ketchum Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
21 75 To Challis, Salmon

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Specific goals related to Ketchum’s Dark Sky
throughout the Reserve. Private Land
designation include: Bellevue
• Protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky and Protect: Learn about and practice Leave No Trace (www.
75

Look Up. Be Amazed.

help preserve quality of life and the tourist experience. lnt.org) and Tread Lightly (www.treadlightly.org) principles to
• Protect against direct glare and excessive lighting and ensure you leave the area in as good or better condition than
0 5 10
0 5 10 15 20

prevent light trespass. you found it. Stay on trails and roads, pack out your trash, miles
To Twinmiles
Falls

• Provide safe roadways for motorists, cyclists and and comply with signs and regulations. Check for current fire 0 5 10
0 5 10
Boasting some of the darkestmilesskies in the lower 48, the Central
15 20

pedestrians. conditions and restrictions before having a campfire. If you miles

Idaho Dark Sky Reserve provides an opportunity to see objects in

• Ensure that sufficient lighting can be provided, where do have a campfire, never leave it unattended and be sure it is
the night sky that are not visible throughout most of the U.S. Here
needed, to promote safety and security. out and cold before you leave.
you can just look up and see our Milky Way Galaxy, Andromeda
PHOTO BY GUY OLIVER

• Promote efficient and cost effective lighting. Be Safe: For your safety, keep an eye on the weather as Galaxy, Messier objects, constellations, our moon, planets, satellites
• Provide lighting guidelines that allow for flexibility in the summer thunderstorms can move in quickly. Be respectful of (including the Space Station), and many other wonders of the night
style of lighting fixtures. wildlife in the area for your safety and for theirs. Cell service sky. Add a pair of binoculars or small telescope and the depths of
• Provide assistance to property owners and occupants is limited in some areas of the Reserve so plan accordingly. the cosmos are revealed, from nearby nebulae to distant galaxies.
to correct nonconforming lighting.
If you are new to stargazing, a good way to start is to learn some of the key constellations - Orion, Ursa Major
More information about Ketchum’s Dark Sky ordinance PLAN YOUR VISIT (The Big Dipper), Cassiopeia, and the Summer Triangle. Knowing them provides a base to build your knowledge
and designation can be found on the city’s website: The best way to explore the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve and to navigate the cosmos. Star charts are useful tools that provide a map of the night sky in your area. Find them
www.ketchumidaho.org is to contact one of these visitor information providers. online, in astronomy magazines, or at your local planetarium.
• Visit Sun Valley – 208-726-3423 or 1-800-634-3347,
The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn change their positions in the sky throughout the year but can be
Dark Sky Lighting Throughout Central Idaho www.visitsunvalley.com, info@visitsunvalley.com
seen with the naked eye. Use binoculars for a closer look. Other than the moon, Venus and Jupiter are the brightest
The concept of dark sky preservation is not new to this area. • Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce –
objects in the night sky. With a small telescope you can see the Galilean moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn.
In addition to Ketchum’s efforts, Hailey passed a municipal 208-774-3411 or 1-800-878-7950, www.stanleycc.org,
dark sky ordinance in 2002, Sun Valley in 2004, Blaine information@stanleycc.org August is a great month to observe meteor showers when the Perseids appear in large numbers. The Geminids put
County in 2010, and Custer County in 2010. Stanley is • The Chamber - Hailey & Wood River Valley – on another spectacular show in December. Other smaller meteor showers appear throughout the year.
currently working on an ordinance and the Forest Service has 208-788-3484, www.haileyidaho.com, info@haileyidaho.org
committed to working with permittees and landowners in the • Redfish Visitor Center & Gallery – 208-774-3376, NAVIGATION TOOLS
Sawtooth National Recreation Area to improve lighting. and Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA),
www.discoversawtooth.org, info@discoversawtooth.org There are many apps available to help you navigate the night sky. Check your app store for the ones that work best for
For more information about these ordinances contact: you. These websites also provide general information about the night sky and locations for current constellations.
Stanley www.stanley.id.gov • Sawtooth National Forest – www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth
Sun Valley www.sunvalleyidaho.gov Sawtooth NRA-North Fork Visitor Center – www.earthsky.org/tonight
Hailey www.haileycityhall.org 208-727-5000 or 1-800-260-5970 www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/sights-to-see.html
Blaine County www.co.blaine.id.us Stanley Ranger Station – 208-774-3000
www.space.com/skywatching
Custer County www.co.custer.id.us Ketchum Ranger Station – 208-622-5371