Dark Skies

The Dark Skies Initiative

 

The dark skies over Taylor Observatory are a local and regional treasure. To preserve our ability to see the stars, Friends of Taylor Observatory and community stakeholders have long sought a Dark Sky Certification from Dark Sky International.

 

The principal goals of our Dark Skies Initiative are:

​

1. To foster an astronomy tourism industry.

​

The San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa metropolitan areas have limited star visibility because of excessive man-made ambient light. Our region, east and north of the Mayacamas mountain range and west of the Coastal Range, is uniquely situated to provide close escape to unusually dark skies.

2. To preserve dark skies in our region for future generations. 

​

What you can do 

​

1. Learn about the worldwide effort to maintain and improve the planet’s dark skies by visiting Dark Sky International.
 

2. Volunteer for various efforts involving Dark Sky Certification. For more information on volunteering, you can contact Friends of Taylor Observatory at hello@friendsoftaylor.org.

 

3. Write a letter of support to your Lake County Supervisor, pointing out the increased tourism that would result from having a Dark Sky Certification by the International Dark Sky Association.

 

4. Lobby the Lake County government, energy concerns, major corporations, and rancheria stakeholders about the benefits of reducing light pollution for tourism and overall quality of life for residents in our region.
 

5. Help document dark skies by making observations around the time of the new Moon, using procedures provided by Globe At Night.
 

6. Above all, go outside and enjoy our beautiful night sky.

On November 20, 2018, District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele presented a proclamation to the Board of Supervisors endorsing Dark Sky Certification — with supporting letters from the Lake County Land Trust, the Redbud Audubon Society, and the Cobb Area Council — making it official policy to adopt appropriate ordinances and to promote astrotourism as an official policy objective of the County of Lake.

 

Dark Sky International

 

Dark Sky International is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies.

Headquartered in Tucson, AZ, with offices in Washington, DC, Hever, Belgium, and Turramurra, Australia, Dark Sky has 60 chapters around the world.