We in San Pedro are blessed with some of the finest nighttime dark skies found in any populated area of New Mexico.

By far the most common reaction of a visitor from elsewhere is "Wow! Look at all the stars!"

It is very important that we do a few simple things to keep it that way!

Why are dark skies at night important? There are a number of reasons.

One is the sheer enjoyment of looking up and seeing countless stars, the Milky Way, and an occasional meteorite.

Another is the connection we get with the past. It's amazing to think that we're looking at the same stars, constellations, and Milky Way that people did many thousands of years ago.

We also need to be able to get an idea of our place in the universe; to be able to ponder the immensity of it all, to marvel at what seems like a foreign world up there......

For those of us who live here, there is a special reason to preserve our skies. Who doesn't feel a bit of relief and release when leaving the city, leaving the bustle, noise, and traffic behind? Coming home, climbing out of your car, and being greeted by that magnificent sky?

But isn't the loss of dark skies just an inevitable price of "progress"? No! There are a number of simple things that can be done to minimize light pollution.

Among them are simply turning off outdoor lights when you are not using them and shielding necessary lights so the light is directed downwards.

A good handbook on minimizing light pollution is the "Consumer Guide to Night Sky Friendly Lighting" put out by the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance. (700k). Another great source of information ( lots more than you might want to know ) is the Dark Sky Society. Many thanks to these organizations.

Lastly, remember that preserving our dark skies is a COMMUNITY endeavor, and can only be accomplished if we ALL do our part!