Fifty years ago, in 1958, Flagstaff passed the nation's first lighting ordinance designed to protect the night sky from the ravages of "light pollution." In truth, it was an effort to protect the view into space from the neaby Lowell Observatory. The pioneering work in Flagstaff has subsequently preserved the riches of the night sky for a growing list of observatories situated in the nearby mountains, and thereby encouraged the growth of an important local industry.

This photo shows in a very dramatic way (aided by both a truly light-pollution-free sky and a time exposure) just how glorious the night sky over Flagstaff can be now that outdoor lighting has been shielded - so that it points down, where it's needed, instead of up at the bellies of passing birds. It also happens to save energy and money, since you don't need as much candlepower if you're not sending light where it's not needed.

Here in Baltimore (below), and in most other cities, we delight in urban lighting programs that illuminate our buildings from below, with most of the glare shining up into the sky and erasing the stars ! When was the last time YOU saw the Milky Way?

You can learn more about outdoor lighting ordinances, from the International Dark Sky Association.

The Flagstaff image, credited to Dan and Cindy Durisco, the US. Naval Observatory, the Lowell Observatory and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, shows the San Fransisco Peaks beneath the Milky Way and a stationary "lenticular cloud," formed as moist air flows up and over a mountain range, condensing as it cools. Here's an amazing gallery of lenticular clouds.

Credit: The Sun, Thomas Graves, 1998