The United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station

Percival Lowell came to Flagstaff in 1894, Arizona was still a territory, and Flagstaff had a population of less than 1,000 people (Putnam). In 1930, Flagstaff was put on the map with the discovery of Pluto, using Lowell’s calculations, and became the first planet discovered outside of Europe. People flocked to the up and coming science-based town, revitalizing the population to 8,000 by 1955. As the population boom was upon this quiet wooded town, the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station was established, as was the U.S Geological Survey in 1963. With more observatories being built and the advancement of the natural sciences, the need for the preservation of dark skies in Flagstaff became apparent (Flagstaff’s). The first†¦show more content†¦This allowed, for the first time, to accurately determine Pluto’s mass and diameter (Putnam). However, during this time, even the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station located on the outskirts of town was being taking over by the overpowering monster of light emanating from city streets. So in 1986, Tucson and Pima County again took the initiative to jointly update their lighting codes, requiring low-pressure sodium (LPS) lights and to ban all mercury vapor lights. During the same time, the City of Flagstaff began a trial experiment: replacing the streetlights on Santa Fe Avenue with LPS lights. This allowed for the city and its residents to adjust to different lighting styles and evaluate the effectiveness of these lights. The response was extremely favorable: nine out of ten Flagstaff residents were ready to switch all streetlights to LPS by 1987 (Flagstaff’s). With the retirement of the previous director of Lowell Observatory, Wes Lockwood, a dark sky activist, arose to the occasion and began to rethink Flagstaff’s lighting codes and the impacts of its growing population. When Lockwood became Lowell’s director in 1986, Christian Luginbuhl, an astrono mer, began working on lighting issues at the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station. Both astronomers agreed, â€Å"city officials and many citizens recognize the importance of astronomy to Arizona and Flagstaff, and understand the danger The United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station Percival Lowell came to Flagstaff in 1894, Arizona was still a territory, and Flagstaff had a population of less than 1,000 people (Putnam). In 1930, Flagstaff was put on the map with the discovery of Pluto, using Lowell’s calculations, and became the first planet discovered outside of Europe. People flocked to the up and coming science-based town, revitalizing the population to 8,000 by 1955. As the population boom was upon this quiet wooded town, the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station was established, as was the U.S Geological Survey in 1963. With more observatories being built and the advancement of the natural sciences, the need for the preservation of dark skies in Flagstaff became apparent (Flagstaff’s). The first upward battle in the establishment of dark skies that Flagstaff faced was in 1958. A new telescope was set to be built, but because of the increase in light pollution that was creeping up Mars Hill, the Anti-searchlight law went into effect. The Anti-searchlight law allowed officers to fine individuals $300 when in possession of a searchlight, or receive 90 days in jail. By June 1972, Tucson had adopted Arizona’s second lighting law – all lights had to be pointed downward – and Pima County developed a similar law soon after. The City of Flagstaff was next to follow suit (Putnam). Light from Flagstaff’s growing city continued to prove difficult for astronomers. In 1980, most of Lowell’s research work and discoveries were made on top ofShow MoreRelatedThe United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station1741 Words   |  7 PagesLowell came to Flagstaff in 1894, Arizona was still a territory, and Flagstaff had a population of less than 1,000 people (Putnam). In 1930, Flagstaff was put on the map with the discovery of Pluto, using Lowell’s calculations, and became the first planet discovered outside of Europe. People flocked to the up and coming science-based town, revital izing the population to 8,000 by 1955. As the population boom was upon this quiet wooded town, the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station was established