Not all details where relayed, but he said that the IDA is protesting as it will not be according to the local light ordinance. Phoenix and Tuscon use a lot of Low Pressure sodium and a lot of shielding, by law, the night sky in the outskirts of these cities is much better than Salt Lake City. The wavelenghts emitted are such that they do not interfere with astronomy on Kitt Peak which was not the case before Crawford of the IDA started. As I recall, Kitt Peak lost almost 80% efficiency before the IDA, which was why Crawford formed the organization.
A glow from unsheilded High Pressure Sodium from the south will be much more significant than you beleive, respectively. Dr. Keida believed such, and stated it will likely make Utah a last refuge for dark skies and increase the likelyhood of future observatory projects in Utah, for research. It seems it will be dominate feature from earth orbit. The entire lenght of the border is inexcess of 1200 miles, the Arizona border alone will reqiure lighting many square miles likely outshining both Pheonix and Tuscon. This will be devastating to dark skies in border states. Erik This seems a little exaggerated. Kitt Peak is only slightly closer to
the border than it is to Tucson. Any lights they put along the border will pale in comparison to the lights of Tucson. I live in Arizona and go to Tucson frequently. The city puts up a big light dome. I don't believe these border lights will have a significant effect on Kitt Peak light problems, unless they are talking carbon arc search lights pointed up or something like that.
erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi All, For those who missed the SLAS general meeting, Dr. Kieda relayed distressing news, the US-Mexican border is going to be lit for several miles on either side with unsheilded lights. So rest in peace Kitt Peak and say so long to all the progress the International Dark Sky Association has made over the last decade.
Erik
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