Be Part of the Solution, Fight Light Pollution!
The 11th Annual Dark Sky Festival is scheduled for February 28th and March 1st, 2014 from 5-10pm in the Harmony Town Square. Â Speakers/Exhibitors scheduled to appear (subject to change):
– Former NASA astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave (Saturday Night)
– Katherine Nagy, head of Astronomy Education for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (Friday Night)
– Various displays from NASA along with a to be announced speaker
– Derek Demeter, Director of the Seminole State College Planetarium
– Earthrise Space
The Team at Doverwood Communications are proud to have been involved with the DARK SKY FESTIVAL from the VERY beginning. Â Bill Fife and the team at Harmony have done a tremendous job growing this unique event year after year. We are looking forward to the 11th year celebration!
The purpose of the Dark Sky Festival at Harmony is to expose the general public to the marvels of astronomy and the importance of protecting dark skies – not just for astronomy purposes, but also for the values that darkness provides to area wildlife. Our entire family-friendly festival is held outdoors in low light conditions on the streets, sidewalks and park located in Harmony Town Square. Due to Harmony’s efforts and the support of the County Commissioners, an ordinance now requires new lighting in the County to be protective of dark skies. In a county that includes portions of Walt Disney World and has extensive brightly lit tourist commercial uses, this was a significant event in itself. In addition, all County facilities were retrofitted to better protect the night sky.
Harmony is an environmentally intelligent community located in Central Florida and was chosen as the site for the Dark Sky Festival for several reasons:
- Harmony Town Square, where the event is held, is in an area rated as Class 4 on the Bortle Scale of Light Pollution.
- The developer has commited to protecting dark skies. For example, all street lighting, any park lighting and other public lighting uses full cut off fixtures. Private residential and commercial lighting is also held to this standard.
- The Central Florida Astronomical Society, Melbourne Astronomical Society, and the Brevard Astronomical Society use Harmony as one of their observing locations in Central Florida. The Harmony Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and the primary event sponsor, is located at Harmony and advises the Harmony developer on lighting and other measures to protect natural systems.
Partners:
UCF Astronomy Society
Central Florida Astronomical Society
Brevard Astronomical Society
Melbourne Astronomical Society
Florida Tech Student Astronomical Society
For more information, visit: www.harmonyfl.com/Amenities/dark-sky-festival and www.facebook.com/DarkSkyFestivalÂ
Event Director: Bill Fife. For information on being a sponsor, please email bfife@harmonyfl.com.
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