Sedona is known for majestic red rock beauty, though when the sun goes down, another natural marvel takes center stage: Sedona’s starry nights. But our brilliant celestial display could be in danger of fading, as it has in many growing cities and towns throughout the world.

The good news is that a few simple measures can help preserve Sedona’s starry skies.  Keep Sedona Beautiful, the  Sedona Main Street Program, and the City of Sedona offer this information:

Why is is harder to see the Milky Way these days?

  • Whatever we call it — light trespass, urban glow, or light pollution — the problem is artificial brightening of the night sky above cities and towns. Brighter skies make stars and celestial bodies, like the Milky Way, appear faded, less distinct or not visible at all.

What Causes light pollution?

  • Inefficient lighting — either unnecessarily bright, or directed or reflected upward — sends light into the sky instead of down where we need it.

What’s wrong with too much light?

Too much light or misdirected light …

  • Wastes energy dollars
  • Wastes resources (like coal or oil) used to produce energy
  • Increases pollution associated with resource consumption
  • Creates glare, making it difficult for drivers and others to see at night
  • Causes light trespass, from neighboring properties to yours
  • Makes for clutter and confusion, an unattractive and distracting nighttime
  • environment in our cities and towns

Who is affected by light pollution?

  • Amateur stargazers, astronomers, drivers, pilots, conservationists, taxpayers, neighbors … nearly everyone including animals is affected by light pollution.

What can I do about it?

  • Shield the lights you use at night, directing their glow down to illuminate doorways, paths, etc. Be sure you are not losing light to the sky or spilling light onto neighboring yards.
  • Take advantage of dimmer switches, time controls, or motion sensors to use light more effectively, when and where you need it.
  • Consider switching to low-pressure sodium lights. LPS lights are not only preferred by astronomers, they are also energy efficient.
  • If you are bother by glare or trespass from your neighbors’ lights, talk to them about it, or give them a copy of this brochure.
  • Contact businesses that cause glow or distracting glare. Encourage them to use light more efficiently and to turn off unnecessary signage after midnight.
  • Participate in public meeting involving local and regional outdoor lighting guidelines.
  • Join Keep Sedona Beautiful or other organizations that promote dark skies.

The stars have been our guiding lights through centuries of human development — to preserve this delightful and dazzling display for future generations is just one more way to Keep Sedona Beautiful.