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Idaho wants to create a 1,400-square-mile reserve for the stars
The Week ^ | 9/15/17 | Jeva Lange

Posted on 09/16/2017 5:48:44 PM PDT by LibWhacker

Idaho is moving forward with plans to establish the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States, a designation for a location so remote from light pollution that you can even see the "interstellar dust clouds" of the Milky Way in the night sky, The Associated Press reports.

Proponents of the reserve plan to file an application this fall to designate 1,400 square miles of central Idaho as part of the dark sky territory. Locals, who would voluntarily take measures to reduce light pollution, are almost unanimously behind the decision in part because they enjoy the celestial splendor as well. "I go out most every night and look at it because it's so dramatic," said Steve Botti, the city council president of Stanley, Idaho.

There are only 11 other Dark Sky Reserves in the world, with the only other in the Americas being Mont-Mégantic in Québec, Canada. The International Dark-Sky Association will take an estimated 10 weeks to decide if the central Idaho region meets its standards after the application is filed.

"It's nice to look up and see something greater than ourselves," said Ketchum, Idaho, Mayor Nina Jonas. Read the full report at the Idaho Statesman.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Local News; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: astronomy; dark; idaho; reserve; sky
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To: InABunkerUnderSF; a fool in paradise
From the title my first thought was that Trump was finally about to do something about the loons in Hollywood.

Me too, and then someone suggested going to North Korea, and I thought that was indeed a better idea.

41 posted on 09/16/2017 7:08:34 PM PDT by cmj328 (We live here.)
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To: LibWhacker
Misleading Headline Alert!

I thought this was going to be about a concentration camp for Hollyweird celebrities.

42 posted on 09/16/2017 7:11:50 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: LibWhacker

Well, I got fooled.

“...The Associated Press reports...” doesn’t really mean that the Associated Press reports. It means something completely different.

I guess when I read that “the associated Press reports...” the fact is that “the Week” reports.

Stupid me!!!! I’ll ask my mistress to spank me.


43 posted on 09/16/2017 7:14:44 PM PDT by sergeantdave
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To: bigdaddy45

“So I take it you oppose this?”

10-4, bigdaddy45. I can smell an imminent property grab from our eco-fascist pigs miles away.


44 posted on 09/16/2017 7:18:09 PM PDT by sergeantdave
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To: Inyo-Mono

I missed going over your way at the first of June this year. Sounds like I better keep it on my bucket list. The wall of the eastern Sierra’s is something I want to see while I still want to drive back roads.


45 posted on 09/16/2017 7:27:07 PM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: dragnet2

I climbed up to those spires one afternoon and ticked my wife off.


46 posted on 09/16/2017 7:30:07 PM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: LibWhacker

What a dream of a goal! Really hope you get it built someday. Ground a telescope mirror when I was 16. Still remember Albireo. Took my breath away.


47 posted on 09/16/2017 7:35:55 PM PDT by mairdie
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To: LibWhacker

I went to Mongolia last year, and the night sky was absolutely amazing there, in the Gobi. The fact that the nomads do not use outdoor lighting at night combined with the elevation made for some spectacular views at night.

When I was a kid in northern California, the night sky was also stunning. But here in Maryland, only the brightest stars (planets) are ever visible.


48 posted on 09/16/2017 7:43:07 PM PDT by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
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To: KC Burke
The Eastern High Sierra of California:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

49 posted on 09/16/2017 7:43:13 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: Inyo-Mono

Wow! Absolutely wonderful photos.


50 posted on 09/16/2017 7:44:41 PM PDT by mairdie
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To: Artemis Webb

Where was that picture taken?

Awesome !


51 posted on 09/16/2017 7:47:26 PM PDT by WildHighlander57 ((WildHighlander57, returning after lurking since 2000)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

They’re too busy stealing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin right now.


52 posted on 09/16/2017 7:51:11 PM PDT by tbw2
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To: Inyo-Mono

I have a whole long list of spots I want to visit over there. I spent a week in Sequoia and King’s Canyon before going up to a family member’s home in the Bay area. Was going to drive across at Yosemite, but of course the passes weren’t cleared until July so I didn’t cross over.


53 posted on 09/16/2017 7:51:16 PM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: KC Burke

Yeah, we had a lot of snow this year. My daylight photo on top was taken near Bishop in early June, looking west toward the eastern boundary of Kings Canyon National Park, the crest of the mountains is the boundary of the park.


54 posted on 09/16/2017 7:55:15 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: ColdOne; RegulatorCountry; vooch
Just another excuse to take more land away from us in Idaho.

Read. It's voluntary.

55 posted on 09/16/2017 7:56:39 PM PDT by semimojo
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To: mairdie
Thanks. My hat's off to any 16-year-old kid who takes on the job of grinding his own primary. I bet it was quite a learning experience!


56 posted on 09/16/2017 8:02:28 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: mairdie
Wow! Absolutely wonderful photos.

Thank you. About 20 miles south of the photo of the Sierra I made at night, is Mt. Whitney, at 14,505' the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.

57 posted on 09/16/2017 8:03:29 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: Inyo-Mono

Yeah, I want to go up that Whitney Portal Road. See the Devil’s Postpile. See the Lakes and soda heads at Mono, dang I can go on and on. Next spring I will post an attempt at a good list and you can add to it from your personal experience.


58 posted on 09/16/2017 8:04:29 PM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: Inyo-Mono

Love the second one! Stunning.


59 posted on 09/16/2017 8:05:02 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: exDemMom

Wow, exotic trip!

Yeah, I’ve lived in Sacramento County 25 years. Before that, I was in the Bay Area for 25 years. Haven’t seen the night sky for 50 years, lol! That’s a big change from growing up in Kansas.


60 posted on 09/16/2017 8:09:46 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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