Event
South Rim Village | Dark Sky Demo at the Visitor Center - How to Make Your Home More Dark Sky Friendly
Fee:
Free.Location: LAT/LONG: 36.059095, -112.108899
From the South Entrance Station, continue following the road you are on for 5 miles, and it will lead you to the Visitor Center. Just before the parking areas, the road curves to the left. You can park your vehicle in one of four parking areas and find your way to the Visitor Center, in the center of the open plaza where restroom buildings, the park store, and the bicycle rental are also located. View the map below.
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Description
Between 11:00 am 2:00 pm "Dark Sky Demo" Visitor Center Sphere Room
Join astronomer in residence Stephen Hummel for an informal demonstration and discussion about "How to Make Your Home More Dark Sky Friendly."
- How to choose the best outdoor lighting fixtures with low-intensity and warm-colored lights that are shielded to direct light downward to reduce light pollution.
- How dimmer switches for indoor lighting can mininize brightness during the evening to promote a more peaceful atmosphere.
- How planting trees and shrubs around your home can block unwanted light from surrounding areas.
Astronomer in Residence, Stephen Hummel is the Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator for McDonald Observatory, part of the University of Texas at Austin. Stephen's work has focused on preserving dark skies in far west Texas.
An experienced astronomy and dark sky educator, Stephen has led hundreds of constellation tours and telescope viewing events, as well as trainings for state and national park staff. Stephen works with industrial facilities, hotels, businesses, and local governments on lighting design to preserve dark skies. In his spare time, Stephen is an award winning astrophotographer with a specialty in rare electrical phenomena above nighttime thunderstorms.
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Stephen Hummel