Greater Big Bend - The World's Largest Dark Sky Reserve

The Greater Big Bend Conservation Area on the US-Mexico border with an area of ​​​​40,000 square kilometers was created with the goal of preventing light pollution from spreading.

Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA, becomes part of the largest dark sky reserve in the world, IFL Science reported on April 8. This is also the first dark sky reserve of international scale, crossing the border between the US and Mexico. The goal of creating such sanctuaries is to prevent light pollution from spreading by adopting methods that are friendly to the night sky.

The Milky Way glows against the dark sky above the McDonald Observatory.

The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve is about 40,000 square kilometers. It will benefit local communities, wildlife, astronomers, tourists and businesses alike.

Setting up the site was a joint effort of the University of Texas Austin McDonald Observatory, The Nature Conservancy, the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), the National Park Service, and the National Park Service. and Texas Wildlife, Mexico's National Commission of Natural Reserves, and local organizations and businesses.

"Without widespread support and sustained efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the Big Bend area, a dark sky reserve of this scale would not have been possible. It's a real community effort and people in the area should be proud of what we've achieved together," said Teznie Pugh, McDonald's Observatory manager.

The reserve includes the focus area around the Mount Davis Preserve, where the McDonald Observatory is located and will apply the strictest lighting rules, and broader support areas where light pollution will minimized without affecting people's lives.

"This reserve protects both the scientific research and public education missions of the McDonald Observatory. Since 1939, the observatory has helped faculty, students, and researchers at the University of Texas Austin. as well as other Texas educational institutions that study space, topics range from planets orbiting nearby stars to rapidly expanding universe," said Taft Armandroff, director of the McDonald Observatory, To share.

Dark sky sanctuaries offer many benefits. The lighting methods used increase safety, save energy, and allow humans and animals to enjoy the cycle of day and night.