Events of Interest at STEM Laboratory
| 2014 | ||
| List of events: | ||
| Date | Location | Description |
| March 31, 2014 | Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Az |
“Light at Night Monitoring Techniques and Wildlife Conservation”
Docents Meeting
Desert Museum |
| June 13, 2014 | Ontario Airport Hotel Ontario, CA |
“A Strategy for Urban Observatory Site Preservation: An Arizona
Example” at: Symposium on Telescope Science Joint Meeting of the SAS/AAVSO/CBA SAS Symposium Presentation Text |
| Sept 5, 2014 | NOAO Main Conference Rm 950 N. Cherry Ave. Tucson, Az |
"Public Policy and Strategy for Preservation of Southern Arizona
Observatory Sites" by Dr. Eric R. Craine The application of new tools, satellite and airborne surveillance of light at night (LAN), has enabled refinement of techniques for preserving astronomical observing sites. We look at results of two new surveys of LAN in Pima County as they relate to conventional wisdom regarding presumed effectiveness of the Pima County Lighting Code. These surveys provide new insight to the LAN threat to Southern Arizona observatories. In particular, astronomical observations made at Kitt Peak National Observatory in 2010, represented as evidence for the effectiveness of the Pima County Lighting Code, are subject to an alternative interpretation. The surveys also identify specific sources of light that, though represented as dark sky friendly, full-cutoff fixtures, are among the worst sources of light pollution in Pima County. Serious efforts to preserve local observatories from effects of light pollution would benefit from more comprehensive techniques of measuring and monitoring. We offer a plan for such implementation that could help delay divestiture of remaining astronomical facilities. |