Dark Skies: The Night's Watch | Texas Parks & Wildlife

The Davis Mountains have some of the best views in the world for stargazing. Meet the astronomer working to protect the dark skies in West Texas and to keep away light pollution.
Watch the Texas Parks & Wildlife PBS television show, www.tpwd.texas.gov/tv

[@tammyslaughter9587]

I've lived in Fort Davis for years and it's amazing how much we use the night sky for part of the general landscape and for navigation without even thinking about it until we leave the area. My 6 yr old granddaughter, who was born here, has mentioned when we go out of town she doesn't like it and feels lost cause the skies are blank and there are no stars. She always wants to go back home because our beautiful vibrant skies here are part of her life. She has actually used the stars and constellations for knowing where she's at when we're driving around in this area. Unfortunately most people in this modern era have lost their conection to the spectacular night sky due to increased light pollution.

[@barryhessel6078]

Did you lose power on 2021 during the state black out?

[@Tsiri09]

We as people need to have the dark skies at night. Not just for observatories, but for wildlife that needs the dark.

[@georgecarrera18]

I honestly wish everyone would be appreciative of stars ect it's so soothing and healing

[@brucetownsend6706]

Thank you for the information on keeping the night dark. Love this! That is actually one thing I noticed in Texas when I moved here. Texans are light conscious,. EVERY state should adopt this. Please keep up the good work!

[@snowdenc]

Bruce Townsend - South Carolina coast also has a night light ordinance to limit/prevent night light, but it is for the benefit of the sea turtles.

[@R6Jorge]

AWESOME! I love TPWD and everything that yall do! thank you!

[@venkat81]

Been to the observatory, such a spectral views of night sky. Grateful to watch the people who are taking this monumental task.

[@sl9guitar]

Amazing video. Thank you so much TPWD. Your videos on KZbin are fantastic and informative. Keep up the amazing work!

[@waltertx.6020]

TP&W Does a great job in Texas. From the eastern shores to the night sky. Keeping the night sky, is important to those people that follow us 🌌✌️

[@briansturdy592]

So crucially important for us all to support the preservation of dark sky areas for astronomical research and study. We need to convince the powers to be to take action on this problem of light pollution. More money needs to go towards Space protection in the area of asteroid detection so we don't become wiped out like the dinosaurs were . Light pollution also effects human and wildlife detrimentally in so many different ways.

[@earthgirls6843]

This needs more views

[@malkeshdalia9182]

Really good video. Thanks for the information about light pollution.

[@aquillafleetwood8180]

I want to go to that Observatory soon! I have not been there since I was in my 20s....back in the 1970s!

[@ratherbfishing455]

How do we encourage and educate people to install covered lights? A public service announement? New building codes. Maybe ordinances like many cities in Arizona.

[@mopacwestgate]

Losing the night sky is not only bad for the beauty and our connection with our ancestors. In many places the light is really disrupting wild life...I know sea turtles in certain parts of the world instectually crawl towards the moonlight in the sea.Tragically they get confused and walk towards city lights...so sad

[@Zed1776]

This would be a great program even for my home. There is a security light about a mile across a valley from home that shines so bright it lights up my house and is blinding to look at. I have installed dark sky lights even though it not require here in Kerrville, gotta start somewhere. I've got to think that not having these glaring lights all over the place would make night driving safer as well.

[@Tony-nj9de]

that's what makes Texas unique

[@captainmoretokin2172]

A lot more than some. More like most. I talk about it every time its apparent.

[@logiticalresponse9574]

Finding a positive aspect from a disaster is hard . After hurricane Laura all the power was out . For a week I could step out of my back door and have the best view of the sky . I could see the milky way laying on my couch

[@alyssanicole9004]

I live in the colony Texas. There’s a meteor shower peaking RIGHT NOW I have only been able to see 2 nice bright ones fall (on I caught on camera)! it makes me wonder what would happen if there was no light pollution (other than road ways) world wide how it would be....

[@djo9941]

Building a home in the nearby area. First thing on the list, low level lighting. When you move anywhere new, be thoughtful of the area and people who already live and work there.

[@SolaceReignFalls]

i cant wait till the day theres no more clouds in the sky when its night time

[@barryhessel6078]

I heard there is no light in north Korea at night. I bet they have a good view of stars.

[@sandraclick7812]

Very crucial that cities aim the lights downward and keep tall buildings should NOT keep lights 24/7, only when needed., motion detectors are helpful. If you have never visited McDonalds's Obser. and Ft. Davis, you must plan to go !!

[@battlefox8460]

What kind of camera are they using to capture the stars to put in pictures and for videos, I wish I can take pictures of the starts but my cellphone can't capture them and a camera I bought can not capture the stars either 🥺, but I love these videos, I live in south Texas so we don't see stars like that down here but when I became a truck driver and went north I was able to experience the beauty of the night sky.. simply amazing 🤩

[@texasparksandwildlife]

Photographing stars in the night sky is a skill that requires some specific camera settings. Your cellphone makes a lot of automatic adjustments that will probably prevent you from getting a good photo of the stars. If you have a more robust digital camera, start with as wide an f/stop as your lens allows, and shutter speed of about 20 seconds or even more. It takes practice and patience, but there are lots of videos that will show you how to take a good long-exposure photo of the night sky.

[@battlefox8460]

@@texasparksandwildlife awesome thank you for taking the time to reply and explain

[@texasparksandwildlife]

@@battlefox8460 You're welcome! 😄

[@barryhessel6078]

I used to have a canon rebel G . 35 mm Camara that could talk pictures of stars and lightning. By setting the shutter to stay open longer.

[@mopacwestgate]

I've been going to Enchanted Rock to camp out and watch the meteor showers since I was a child of the '70s... I'm really excited for the April 8,2024 Solar eclipse. The path of totality is dead center of the Park, ..but I am prepared to travel in case of bad weather

[@jamesdang3291]

Is there camping there or around that area?

[@texasparksandwildlife]

There's camping and lodging near the McDonald Observatory at Davis Mountains State Park tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains

[@aquillafleetwood8180]

Google the Northern Cross by Aquilla Fleetwood, youtube! Google Night Signs by Aquilla Fleetwood, youtube! I am from Kermit, Texas...which is a dark skies area!

[@strokerace5468]

I had no idea. More education needs to be out there especially if we have another oil boom.

[@VisitorE.T.]

9:07 ----> Ufo spaceship crossing the sky

[@goodandfaithfulservant2681]

Jesus Christ loves us all tremendously and died for all of our sins❤️✝️