(Coon Rapids, Sept 18, 2006) Amateur astronomers from all over the Midwest will gather for the 4th Annual Iowa Star Party to be held September 21-24 at the Whiterock Conservancy Star Field, southeast of Coon Rapids in Guthrie County. Why this spot? Because this is the one of the darkest places, and thus holds the brightest stars, in all of Iowa.

"I don’t have any numbers or any objective means of verifying how dark it is," says Drew Sorenson of the Ames Area Amateur Astronomy Club, "but Whiterock has got to be right up there with the darkest. I have been to other sites in the Midwest and this certainly has to be one of the best."

As light pollution has washed out the skies to the east, the residents of those areas have lost the opportunity to truly see the stars (see attached photos comparing night skies in 1992 and 1999). "This problem could be easily solved if people would just cap or hood their light fixtures, instead of letting the light travel upwards into the heavens," says Garst.

Fortunately, the area southeast of Coon Rapids remains extremely dark, and here one can enjoy the night sky in all its glory. This is due, first, to its highly rural location mid-way between the bright spots of Des Moines and Omaha, and secondly, the use of "dark-sky friendly" lighting fixtures in Coon Rapids and the surrounding area.

Amateur astronomer Dave Oesper first identified the special darkness of the Coon Rapids area about a decade ago, and did a lot of promotion to convince local residents to use the right kind of lights in their farmyards and businesses.

"The first time we talked to the Tall Corn Ethanol plant about dark sky protection, they looked at us like we were crazy," reports Garst, "Once they realized we were serious, and understood about dark skies, they made some minor adjustments to their lighting scheme that protect star-viewing for us all. It’s just a matter of a little public education."

Whiterock Conservancy is a new land trust created to manage a 5,000 acre conservation land donation from the Garst Family of Coon Rapids. Its nonprofit mission is to research and promote sustainable land management practices; provide low impact public recreation and environmental education; and protect and restore the area’s natural resources, including its extremely dark skies.

In October 2005 the Coon Rapids-Whiterock area was designated by Governor Vilsack as one of the first three "Iowa Great Places." The Iowa Legislature recently appropriated $1 million to the Department of Cultural Affairs for supporting Coon Rapids Great Place projects.

These include projected improvements to the Whiterock Star Field (currently just a very dark pasture), such as special parking arrangements to prevent headlight glare, and cement piers with electric plug-ins where the astronomers can mount their sensitive computerized equipment.

In addition, the Coon Rapids’ Great Places committee is encouraging area towns and counties to consider dark-sky ordinances, such as the one already passed by the City of Ames. These ordinances would require new construction to use hooded outdoor light fixtures, in order to ensure that the light is directed only where needed instead of shooting up into the sky.

Finally, after an ordinance is passed and special light readings can verify Coon Rapids’ exceptional darkness, as compared to the size of its population, the town can be registered as an official "dark sky community" with the International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org).

"This very cost effective approach protects a rapidly fading natural resource we have always taken for granted: the ability to step outside at night, look up, and see the beauty and wonder of the stars," says Tolif Hunt, Whiterock Director.

"Dark-sky protection measures are extremely simple and inexpensive, but these must be taken quickly or our children will never be able to share that experience. Here at Whiterock we aim to preserve that experience as long as possible."