Lunar Month Sequence for June 2008

On http://www.brightstarstemeculavalley.com/ I posted an interactive Flash that shows 26 photos of the moon taken from June 5 to June 26. You can see the moon change apparent size and see its approximate location in orbit. This post is made to offer a means for anyone to make comments, ask questions, or offer corrections or suggestions.

(The project can be seen at this page: http://www.brightstarstemeculavalley.org/pages/Astronomy.html)

Murrieta Valley Mitsubishi searchlights

In March, 2008, Murrieta Valley Mitsubishi started using search lights to advertise. This use of searchlights is occuring within 30 miles of Palomar Observatory and is a violation of Murrieta's municipal code (from see Section 16.18.100, Lighting; G. Prohibitions; 4.: "Operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.").

Aside from the violation of municipal code, this activity if offensive to amateur astronomers and to anyone one who enjoys the night sky. Mitsubishi is essentially saying that the sky is their advertising space.

Mitsubishi should be reminded that amateur astronomy is quite alive in their community. Each year, local astronomy clubs set up telescopes for thousands of visitors. A star party for a local cubscout pack is planned for March and another for the entire community in two months. Do they need Mitsubishi's permission to use the sky these nights?
It should be noted that while taking these photos, no customers came or went. But of course, it's hard to prove a negative.


An update: It turns out the star party for cub scouts did need permission to use the sky. The floodlights were quite prominent during the event. Thankfully, Murrieta Mitsubishi has stopped using the searchlights.

A Mission Statement for Bright Stars Wildomar

Everyone has the right to illuminate his or her own property. With homeowners, this includes the use of white light if desired. Businesses have the right to visible signage and adequate illumination during hours of operation. All of us, businesses or homeowners have the right to display a flag and to properly light it at night. None of these rights will be removed under a bright stars/dark skies program.

But there are other things that should be rights. Homeowners should have the right to enjoy their yard at night or sleep in a dark room without the blinding nuisance of a neighbor’s flood light. Motorists should have the right to see obstacles or children in the road without the hazard of a “glare bomb”. Palomar Observatory’s right to continue astronomical research should be greater than the neighboring community’s right to waste energy through direct illumination of the heavens. And last, all of us should have the right to look up at night and see a rich assembly of stars against a black night.

None of the these goals – the right to use light and the freedom from intrusive and excessive lighting – have to be in conflict. However, how we design light for safety, security, and ambiance determines whether we are free from glare nuisances and intrusive lighting, whether Palomar observatory continues its research, and whether we see stars at night instead of the white glow typical of urban skies. If you can 1) have the light you need for safety, security and ambiance, and 2) see stars at night, would you not take both?
Dark Sky/Bright Stars Wildomar is an effort to promote good lighting design so as to have a minimal impact on the night sky. These goals can be met through public awareness, voluntary guidelines, and enforcible ordinances. I will elaborate on each of these in subsequent posts to this site.

First light for Bright Stars Wildomar

"First light" is a term amateur and professional astronomers use to describe the first use of an astronomical instrument, meaning the first time light from space will be collected by it.

I'm starting this blog to create a forum for promoting awareness of lighting policies and practices, and specifically, how lighting design will help the community of Wildomar to continue to enjoy the fairly dark skies we have. I hope such efforts will assist the greater community in taking an interest in preserving the night sky, both for our own enjoyment and to enable nearby Palomar Observatory to continue research in optical wavelengths.

And last, since I did not make up the term "bright stars" -- it was suggested by other community members who like dark skies but don't want to give the erroneous impression that we oppose the reasonable use of night lighting -- I will also use this to post other items that of relevance to our community and make it special.