In the natural order of the heavens; the three brightest objects in the sky are, The Sun, The Moon, and The planet Venus. Yet many of us have neighbors and businesses who unwittingly are challenging this law of nature every night.

Sense the year 2000, Mercury vapor lighting, an out dated industrial designed lighting system has been illegal in the state of New Mexico. Now, before someone suggests that I move to New Mexico, Please consider this. We have the rarest of natural resource here in the KRV, our night sky. Eighty-seven percent of all Americans cannot see the “Milky Way from their own homes?  This is especially brought into focus when we watch the lakes water level get lower and lower every week and read that the stocking of trout in the Kern River maybe stopped for the next two years. These facts alone makes our nighttime wonder all that more rare and valuable to this rural valleys 7/24 economy that primarily depends on tourism. 

Many of us reading this article will use the aide of lamplight. Look at your lamps, I believe you will see only ambient light and not glare. In other words the shade covering our lamps block the glare, making the light useful for our needs. Tonight please look out your window, If you see bright orbs of light from your point of view, that is not light that is glare. And glare is not just disturbing to our neighbors and wildlife it is also dangerous and can affect our very mood.  Ask anyone who has to drive daily to Ridgecrest into the rising sun only to return that evening into the setting sun. Glare can and will alter our well-being.

I pray we never take this most natural of wonders for granted and with that in mind I offer this suggestion that allows all of us to pitch in and make a difference.

First, by shielding our outdoor lighting needs, just as we do inside our homes we can direct the light below our roof line keeping it on our property only. 

Second, by using yellow light (sodium vapor) we can install a smaller watt bulb that uses less energy and is easier to see at night securing our homes and families safety more affectively. 

Last and maybe the most important point during these difficult economic times. It will save our families money. Moines that can be put to use in other areas of family need.

I have no difficulty with “community friendly nighttime lighting.” I do however draw the line on blatant night time lighting that does not take in to consideration the effect is has on our neighborhoods, wildlife, and the very economic health of our community at large. 

Will this wonder of wonders be here for future generations to enjoy? Can our efforts make a difference and help fuel our tourism economy? I for one believe it can.

Here’s to brighter days and darker nights in the Kern River Valley

Donn Matlack, Wofford Heights

Kern River Valley Astronomy Club