FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] LIGHTING PROJECT AT OLD FAITHFUL INN HELPS LIGHT A NEW ERA

["Ken Reeves" <kreeves@xxxxxxxxx>]

I got this on the Geyser Gazer E-mail list, thought it would be of interest
to the astronomical community.

Ken

-------- Original Message ------- 
Yellowstone National Park News Release LIGHTING PROJECT AT OLD FAITHFUL INN
HELPS LIGHT A NEW ERA As Yellowstone National Park's grand Old Faithful Inn
prepares to celebrate its hundredth birthday, the night sky above the Inn is
being restored closer to its splendor of a century ago. When today's
visitorsto the Inn look up at the stars over Old Faithful, they will now
havea view similar to that enjoyed by the park's earliest visitors.
Overly-bright, upward-facing outdoor light fixtures in the parking lot at
thefront of the Old Faithful Inn have recently been replaced with new night
sky-friendly lighting that will allow for a glare-free view of the heavens.
This improvement was made possible by a $97,500 grant from the GE Foundation
(a philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company) and the
donation of GE anti-glare light fixtures to the Montana-based Yellowstone
Park Foundation*. Yellowstone's dark skies have immeasurable value as a
natural resource--a resource that Yellowstone is committed to preserving and
protecting. As with other park units, Yellowstone is looking at ways to
reduce "sky glow"(light pollution) through the use of appropriate lighting
and glare-reducing measures. The funding has allowed the park to work with
local area artisans to design and build original, hand-crafted, wrought iron
lanterns that are compatible with the signature rustic architectural style
ofthe Old Faithful Historic District. The lanterns, retrofitted with modern
lamp optics donated by GE Lighting Systems, are designed to direct light to
the ground where it is more efficient and effective. This "marriage" of
history, art, and technology has been one of the more interesting aspects of
this restoration project. "Yellowstone's night skies continue to be an
increasingly important resource to park visitors," noted Yellowstone
Superintendent Suzanne Lewis. "We are pleased that this grant has allowed us
to move forward to protect this timeless resource and ensure park visitors
will continue to be inspired by one of Yellowstone's many wonders--its
starryskies." -NPS- * The mission of the non-profit Yellowstone Park
Foundation is to fund projects that protect, preserve, and enhance
Yellowstone National Park. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA The National Park Service
cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may
experience our heritage. Public Affairs Office Yellowstone National Park, WY
82190 (307) 344-2013 Yell_Public_Affairs@xxxxxxx[1] www.nps.gov/yell[2] 

--- Links ---
   1 mailto:Yell_Public_Affairs@xxxxxxx
   2 http://www.nps.gov/yell
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