Lights out at Elk Island park

Astronomers in Edmonton are in the dark and celebrating it.

On Sunday afternoon, officials declared an area of 300-square kilometres just east of the city a "dark sky preserve," following an agreement among various levels of government to reduce artificial light.

Not only will it mean clearer stargazing at Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, but it will also help control the impact of artificial light on the hunting and breeding habits of animals, astronomers said.

Sherrilyn Jahrig, who helped spearhead the creation of theBeaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, said there are six similar preserves across the country.

"By declaring that area a dark sky preserve we bring awareness to the issue of artificial lighting, but also we hope to influence the areas around those parks to keep them as dark as they are and darker."

Shielded and energy-efficient lamps, along with lights aimed downward and reduced lighting during night-time hours will help keep the sky dark.

Jahrig hopes the preserve will encourage others to monitor how much light they use.

"If you look at the composite map of the Earth at night, which is taken from space, Edmonton and Calgary are very, very bright points on that map. It's surprising. We don't have to turn off the lights and get rid of lights, we just have to light things more effectively."