Letter Regarding Sports Lighting at Battle Point
Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation District
Attn: Perry Barrett
P.O. Box 10010
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Dear Mr. Barrett:
We support the position of the Battle Point Astronomical Association (BPAA) in opposing sports field lighting at Battle Point Park
Observatories contribute greatly to the public understanding and enjoyment of science. Bright lights from sports fields destroy the usefulness of observatories. Amateur and professional astronomers have fought battles all over the country to preserve reasonably dark skies so that both scientists and the general public can investigate and marvel at the wonders of the universe. We are sorry to learn that the usefulness of Battle Point Observatory is being threatened. At the University of Washington campus in light-polluted Seattle we wish we had such a nice dark site as Battle Point Park! So many people today have not had a chance to see a dark night sky.
Battle Point Park has been providing an opportunity to residents of Bainbridge Island and beyond to have a unique experience. Hardly any lights pollute the view of the skies. You can see the stars!
Furthermore, there is a large telescope there and maybe some other amateur telescopes and you might have a chance to look at something beyond the Earth. The Battle Point Astronomical Observatory provides a chance to get in touch with the natural world in a way that no other experience provides. Why would Battle Point Park choose to destroy such a treasure?
Having sports field lighting on in early evening hours compromises the observatory in several ways. First, young people would not be able to attend observatory functions because they have to go to bed. The same evening hours that kids would be playing sports are the ones where some of them might also choose to stargaze instead. As for the general public, even adults don't usually want to attend an observatory open house or a star party late at night. In addition to weather constraints (You can't predict the weather and you observe when you can.), some astronomical phenomena might be visible only in the early evening. For example, the planet Venus is setting about 10 p.m. right now. Or there might be a lunar occultation (moon covers up a star) at 6 p.m. PST in November. It the lights are on, observing is severely compromised
We hope that the Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation District will reject the proposal to put sports field lighting in Battle Point Park.
The Battle Point Observatory is an important resource for the community and the region. Its mission and effectiveness should be protected.
Sincerely yours,
Janice DeCosmo
Director, Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Education
Julie Lutz
Associate Director, Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
Research Professor of Astronomy
Robert Winglee
Associate Director, Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
Professor of Earth and Space Sciences