Join us in our new effort to promote "Dark Skies" on Town Mountain

Welcome to our brand new community Dark Skies blog!   This blog is the place to come for the latest information, discussion, and action opportunities on "Dark Skies" along Town Mountain and the surrounding area.  The site will be updated as information is obtained and organized, and as we launch our initiative to reduce light pollution and darken our night skies.  Please add your thoughts, views, news, and information - this is your blog.  Meanwhile, this blog will highlight and roll out a new article or two every couple of weeks that will help us all learn the in's and out's of Dark Skies together.   So....welcome, learn, enjoy, and visit often!
 
What is "Dark Skies"?   Dark Skies is a term used to describe the move away from excessive and inappropriate artificial light and toward a safe, sensible, neighbor-friendly, and cost effective alternative.  In short, light pollution disturbs our neighbors, produces unsafe glare, and blocks our view of the beautiful night sky.  The good news is that solutions are easy, effective, and can actually save money and precious energy.  
 
Who we are:  A group of residents who are concerned about light trespass and the increasing light pollution on Town Mountain and surrounding area. 
 
What we are doing:  Organizing, learning and researching the issue, listening to our friends and neighbors' concerns and wishes, and preparing to launch an initiative to educate and promote Dark Skies. 
 
What is our vision and goal?  To educate others about the benefits of Dark Skies and thereby win "hearts and minds" to our cause, with the result being that our mountain becomes a Dark Skies model for other communities throughout Buncombe County and the region.  We look forward to the time when we and our children will gaze up into the night sky and see a beautiful sea of stars as our ancestors did just a generation or two ago. 
 
How you can get involved?  Join our discussion forum, read about this issue on the provided links, and begin to advocate for Dark Skies in your immediate neighborhood.  Later there will be opportunities to canvas in your Town Mountain neighborhood or surrounding area to "get the word out" and enlist the support and cooperation of others.   
 
How can you learn more?  An Introduction to Dark Skies.  Click on the following two links that will introduce you to the subject and why it is important.  
http://data.nextrionet.com/site/idsa/Practical%20Guide-Light%20Pollution7-28-08.pdf
 
 http://data.nextrionet.com/site/idsa/is001.pdf