Dark Skies

While recent research shows the night sky is getting brighter every year across North America, the Big Bend area has fended off the light glow that washes out starry nights.

McDonald Observatory astronomers worked with energy companies to dim their lights.

City leaders have worked toward this goal since 2021. Other Central Texas cities and towns that are dark sky communities include Bee Cave, Blanco, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Horseshoe Bay and Wimberley.

Over the past year or so, local governments across the Big Bend have adopted stricter outdoor lighting rules, part of a broader effort to protect the region’s famously starry night skies.

HB 298 would help cities regulate light pollution outside of city limits.

From Texas Standard:Not all darkness is created equal. In a place like Big Bend, the night sky reaches depths not present closer to a big city. That's…

The stars at night could get bigger and brighter in Fredericksburg, as it works to achieve "dark-sky" designation from the International Dark-Sky…