www.IDAHODARKSKY.org

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

star-studded summer sky.” sky.” summer star-studded an Idaho mountainside under a a under mountainside Idaho an 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 on open the in night the spending aimed lighting. That amounts to $3.3 billion and 21 million

self important in the morning after after morning the in important self tons of carbon dioxide per year.

“I never knew a man who felt felt who man a knew never “I 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 The good news about light pollution is that it is easier to resolve than other forms of pollution. You can literally just the Central Idaho Very Bad Bad Better Best flip a switch to make a difference! 1. Inspect the lighting around your home. Turning off Dark Sky Reserve! e’ve all learned about land, water, and air unnecessary lights reduces light pollution, saves you money, PHOTO PETER BY LOVERA pollution but have you ever thought about light and cuts energy use. W ere in the heart of central Idaho, we celebrate our pollution? The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) pristine night sky as part of our heritage and a treasure website defines light pollution as the inappropriate or H worth preserving for our children and future generations. excessive use of manmade light and explains some surprising consequences linked to the increasing light Whether you use your eyes or binoculars or a telescope, you pollution in our world. will find it is truly humbling to view planets, the Milky Way, meteors, comets, and even deep sky objects. Some common types of light pollution include glaring or bright lights that impair our eyesight and actually make it Across the country, more than 80 percent of people reside harder to see objects directly in the glare. Light trespass in cities and urban areas where light pollution dilutes and occurs when light intended for one purpose impacts Light Trespass Light where needed distorts their view of the stars. Research shows the Milky adjacent places or people. The familiar sky glow that Way is hidden from view of more than one-third of the lights up the sky over cities and brightly lit businesses is 2. Use dark-sky friendly lighting at your home and world’s population. business. Install fixtures or shields that direct light another example of light pollution. downward on areas that need illumination, thereby limiting The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a treasured resource light trespass, glare, and up-lighting into the night sky. for local residents and for all Idahoans and visitors from THE EFFECTS OF LIGHT POLLUTION Choose bulbs for outdoor lights that provide warm white across the world who come to experience the wonder Human health – Excessive artificial light at night affects light with a yellow glow rather than cool blue light. of the starry night sky. The Reserve is the result of a our circadian rhythm, the biological clock that guides our 3. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors. You collective commitment by communities, public land managers, daily routine to sleep, wake, and eat. Living with constant can find resources on our website to help in your efforts to and private landowners to support the dark sky experience. light increases risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, encourage and educate others about light pollution. diabetes, breast cancer, and more. 4. Advocate for a lighting ordinance in your town or Remember to look up at the stars and Wildlife – Many creatures including amphibians, birds, area. Contact your local government to see if there is an not down at your feet. Try to make mammals, insects, and plants are affected by artificial existing ordinance or how you can help them explore options. sense of what you see, wonder about light. It disturbs sleep patterns, affects pollination, and Want more information? Check out www.darksky.org/ what makes the universe exist. interferes with reproduction lighting/lighting-basics/ Dr. Stephen Hawking, Theoretical Physicist

Source: www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages

COEUR D’ALENE 90

LEWISTON

n R Salmo iv er PHOTO BY NILS RIBI SALMON MCCALL 93 CHALLIS The FIRST STANLEY 75 93 15 Artificial night sky brightness in the mid 1970s Artificial night sky brightness in 1997 21 International Dark Sky SUN VALLEY KETCHUM IDAHO BOISE 20 FALLS Reserve in the U.S. 84 POCATELLO 75 r e TWIN FALLS iv ake R Central Idaho and the Reserve Sn he International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) designated 84 15 the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in December he Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses T Learn about the Night Sky with our 2017, the twelfth such reserve worldwide. IDA awarded www.IDAHODARKSKY.org 906,000 acres (1,416 square miles) most of which is T Partners! the area Gold Tier status, their highest ranking for night sky #idahodarksky public lands within the Sawtooth National Forest. The quality. For more information about other Dark Sky Re- Reserve includes portions of Blaine, Boise, Custer and Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA) is based in Stanley in the heart of the Reserve and operates serves, go to www.darksky.org. PARTNERS Elmore counties, the communities of Stanley, Lower Stanley, Smiley Creek, Ketchum and Sun Valley. Central the Redfish Visitor Center and Stanley Museum. SIHA The designation represents nearly two decades of planning

G A N D P R I N O T offers activities for children and adults during the summer V E R C E T Idaho constitutes one of the last large ‘pools’ of natural S I E N efforts and policy decisions by city and county leaders, local R G P IDAHO nighttime darkness left in the United States. months including star parties, Jr Ranger programs and a businesses and organizations, and public land managers. CONSERVATION lecture series. (www.discoversawtooth.org) Working together, these partners continue to focus on LEAGUE The Reserve has as its core parts of three designated preserving the quality of the night-time environment and wilderness areas and is situated in the spectacular scenery Sawtooth Botanical Garden, south of Ketchum, hosts A 2 U G 9 7 U S T 2 2 , 1 reducing the impact of light pollution in the area. of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (NRA). periodic night sky programs throughout the year ranging The designation of the Reserve is a particularly good fit from astrophotography to constellation mythology. Through our combined efforts, we are working to: within the recreation area, as it supports the area’s (www.sbgarden.org) enabling legislation. • Preserve and enhance the natural nighttime experience Local Astronomy Clubs and Societies to improve quality of life. In 1972, Congress established the 756,000-acre Sawtooth Boise Astronomical Society www.boiseastro.org • Highlight the economic benefits associated with dark sky NRA with the passage of Public Law 92-400 which sought Idaho Falls Astronomical Society www.ifastro.org compliant lighting—from energy savings to tourism revenue. to preserve and protect the Area’s “natural, scenic, historic, Magic Valley Astronomical Society www.mvastro.org pastoral, and fish and wildlife values and to provide for the • Conserve our robust nocturnal ecosystems and support the needs of wildlife. enhancement of the recreation values associated therewith.” For my part I know nothing with Preserving the natural night sky complements all of these • Enhance local scientific and educational opportunities values and contributes to the solitude and primitive quality any certainty but the sight of through astronomy and other natural studies. of the associated Wilderness areas. the stars makes me dream. • Promote our dark skies as a unique community asset and ©2018 Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve Vincent van Gogh, Artist part of our local and national heritage Cover photo by Ed Cannady 21 Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve 75 To Challis, Salmon Ketchum 4 Suggested Dark Sky r C 3 www.idahodarksky.org 2 Viewing Sites w A D do Park Cr RO ea Overlook V N 1 a You can get a good view of the night A Dark Sky City O M l Sunbeam l Y e N Elk Mtn y Clayton sky from mostA places within the C r Stanley 5 r R C C Chamber C Reserve. TheseA are a few easy to r r P

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O r Dark Sky Core Areas C B P Atlanta K ie Sawtooth NRA ir Otto’s I Visitor Information Y a 10 11 Visitor Center O r Peak Unpaved Road P r N Kane Lake The city of Ketchum is a steward of its natural environment r M C E Dark Sky Viewing Sites O C Campgrounds h e E Hyndman U lc l N r R Peak Trail and is working to preserve its dark skies. The city has u a g k e T e G E 12,009’

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C A M been a leader in the state of Idaho when it comes to N B O O O S R e U Main Highway Creek Griffin k K N protecting the night sky. Ketchum passed one of Idaho’s 75 a E ox Butte L E T A F R I N Exploring the Reserve C Cr Bureau of SLand Management Corral IL Paved Road first Dark Skies ordinances in 1999, and revised the Adams A Cobb G R Fox ul T Peak Three state highways provide easy year-round access to and Peak ch 13 ordinance in 2017 to meet IDA International Dark Sky LAND USE 12 Wilderness Areas Unpaved Road Community standards. within the reserve. Secondary and forest roads are open U.S. Forest Service (FS) Land Sun Valley Trail and provide additional accessLAND from May USE through November. Ketchum Sawtooth National Recreation Ranger Station Numerous trails throughout theBureau area of lead Land toManagement more remote (BLM) Land Ketchum Area Boundary U.S. Forest Service (FS) Land Visitor Elkhorn Private Land M D Center AR SPR A Bald locations for both summer and winter stargazing. W IN O Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land G S R Mountain Private Land D LEGEND Ski Area A O ood R Private Land R W Summer is the peak time for visitation throughout the area K R i g Dark Sky Reserve Boundary Visitor Information Main Highway O B F with hiking, biking, river rafting, fishing, and camping. The S T rk Paved RoadEA o Dark Sky Core Areas National Forest Office/ F

winter months also attract many visitors who ski at the Sun Visitor Information st Dark Sky Reserve Boundary Visitor Information MainUnpaved HighwayD RoadE a R R D Dark Sky Viewing Sites GULC H K Campgrounds HORN E Valley Resort and enjoy outstanding Nordic and backcountry National Forest Office/ EN PavedTrail Road C R E Dark Sky Core Areas RE Visitor Information G N National Forests ROA 75 A skiing opportunities as well as snowmobile trails. EUnpavedE K D Road I Dark Sky Viewing Sites Main Highway CR D Campgrounds R N E E I Bureau of Land Management Paved Road D Trail EY R D Respect: While most of the reserve is on National Forest National Forests L G Wilderness Areas MainUnpaved Highway Road I U System lands, it is important to be aware of and respectful of Bureau of Land Management Hailey Q PavedTrail Road Sawtooth National Recreation RD 0 5 10 15 20 R the private land and homes in the area. Always ask owners’ WildernessArea Boundary Areas Unpaved Road C Friedman 0 5 10 Y miles O Hailey Memorial permission to cross private property. National Forest maps R miles PHOTO BY CHARLES KNOWLES Private Land Trail Sawtooth National Recreation C Welcome Airport Area Boundary Center Specific goals related to Ketchum’s Dark Sky provide detailed information about various land designations 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 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 15 20 0 5 10 Look Up. Be Amazed. To Twinmiles Falls prevent light trespass. you found it. Stay on trails and roads, pack out your trash, miles

0 5 10 15 20 Provide safe roadways for motorists, cyclists and and comply with signs and regulations. Check for current fire 0 5 10 • Boasting some of the darkestmiles skies in the lower 48, the Central pedestrians. conditions and restrictions before having a campfire. If you miles Idaho Dark Sky Reserve provides an opportunity to see objects in do have a campfire, never leave it unattended and be sure it is • Ensure that sufficient lighting can be provided, where 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 • 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. PHOTO GUY BY OLIVER 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, [email protected] seen with the naked eye. Use binoculars for a closer look. Other than the moon, Venus and Jupiter are the brightest • Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce – The concept of dark sky preservation is not new to this area. 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 [email protected] 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, [email protected] 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, [email protected] 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 Stanley Ranger Station – 208-774-3000 Blaine County www.co.blaine.id.us www.space.com/skywatching Custer County www.co.custer.id.us Ketchum Ranger Station – 208-622-5371