vital to astrotourism

The observatory is right next to downtown Flagstaff, an area that would normally be heavily polluted with light. Due to unique laws in Flagstaff, however, astronomers are able to use their telescopes without light obstructing the view.

Schindler said bright city lights are similar to an LED light on a car.

“It’s like when a car drives by, and if you look in the headlights you can’t see much of anything,” Schindler said.

Since 1958, Flagstaff has been the pioneer in light ordinances to protect the night sky. Through the years, the city became stricter, creating more laws to keep the stars visible.

Schindler said when people first moved to Flagstaff in the late 1800s, it was nicknamed the “starlight city” because of the brilliance of the stars.

According to the City of Flagstaff website, the dark sky initiative has become an established element of community regional identity.

The dark sky initiative has fostered a community of astrotourism and research in the city with Lowell Observatory, U.S. Naval Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Center and the Discovery Channel telescope being built because of Flagstaff’s promise to protect the night sky.

Jasmine Garani is an astronomy professor at NAU. Garani gives extra credit for going to the Lowell Observatory and doing other activities involving observing the stars at night that are possible because of the dark sky ordinance.

“Observing here is much better than observing somewhere like Phoenix,” Garani said. “I think the students get a better experience.”

Hakala said the astronomical industry built in Flagstaff is extremely important to the city. The ordinance and astrotourism work with each other. Like many others, Garani said she came to Flagstaff to see the stars at night, and the five observatories in Flagstaff help people do that.

Commercial and residential properties are affected by the codes set in place by the dark sky ordinance. Hakala is in charge of making sure everyone is following the ordinance and complying with proper lighting in the city.

Hakala said education is the most important part of maintaining the dark sky ordinance because if people do not know Flagstaff is an IDA Dark Sky City, they will not know to follow the guidelines in place.

COMPILED BY TAYLOR SCHWARTZ-OLSON

Jan. 17

At 7:01 a.m., an employee called to report damage to their vehicle at High Country Conference Center Garage. NAUPD responded and found the damage was from the weather.

Jan. 19

At 10:34 a.m., a student called to report an injury on the pedway path. The patient refused medical attention and a report was taken for personal injury. At 10:18 p.m., a non-student at Lot 44 called to report a hit-and-run accident. An officer responded and took a report.

Jan. 20

At 1:26 p.m., The Suites staff called to report people throwing ice at vehicles. NAUPD responded and negative contact was made. At 8:06 p.m., a student at Lot 62 called to report someone hit a vehicle and fled the scene. An officer responded and took a report.

Jan. 21

At 2 a.m., a student reported a disturbance at Hilltop Townhomes. The Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD), Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) and NAUPD responded. One student was deferred for assault, disorderly conduct and minor in consumption of alcohol. A second student was deferred for minor in consumption of alcohol. At 10:33 p.m., a student called to report another student had been hurt while sledding at Gabaldon Field. The student was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) by ambulance.

Jan. 23

At 11:57 a.m., NAU employees reported an NAUowned, heavy equipment vehicle damaged a parked car. NAUPD responded and took a report. At 8:41 a.m., an employee called to report a gas smell at the I-17 exit ramp. NAUPD responded and no odor was present. At 10:43 a.m., an officer reported a student had slipped on ice at Lot 62. NAUPD responded and a report was taken.

Jan. 27

At 1:09 p.m., a Gammage Building employee called to report a trespass. NAUPD responded and one student was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility.

Jan. 29

At 2:21 a.m., a student at Drury Inn & Suites called to request assistance for a student with an injury. The student was transported to FMC by ambulance and deferred for underage consumption of alcohol. At 12:18 p.m., a student at Wilson Hall called to report theft. NAUPD responded and took a report. At 9:20 p.m., Drury Inn & Suites staff reported non-student trespassing. The subject was arrested and booked into Coconino County Detention Facility on an outstanding warrant.

Jan. 30

At 2:12 p.m., a student reported a student fell on ice near the San Francisco Parking Garage. FFD, GMT and NAUPD responded, and the subject was transported to FMC.

Feb. 1

At 12:10 a.m., a non-student requested a welfare check on a non-student near the High Country Conference Center. The subject was arrested and booked into Coconino County Detention Facility for possessing dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, and for an outstanding warrant. At 8:32 p.m., a staff member called to report smoke from exposed wires at the Science Lab Facility. FFD and NAUPD responded and a work order was issued.

Feb. 2

At 11:38 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on Route 66 and one non-student was cited for and released for DUI to the slightest degree and DUI over .08.

Feb. 4

At 11:54 p.m., University Safety Aides reported a vehicle driving erratically near South Beaver Street and East University Drive. An officer responded and one student was issued a warning about driving behavior.

Feb. 5

At 7:41 a.m., an anonymous report was received by NAUPD about a sexual assault involving two students at the Honors College. According to the report, the incident occurred or started during the fall 2022 semester.

Feb. 7

At 2:51 a.m., a student called to report a person yelling and acting erratically near Lot 31. NAUPD officers responded and one student was booked into Coconino County Sherrif’s Office Jail for aggravated assault on a detention officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and failure to provide their name.