“Stars can’t shine
without darkness.”
D.H. Sidebottom, Fragile Truths
Your park fees provide for the care,
protection, and enhancement of this park.
Jordanelle State Park
S.R. 319 #515 Box 4, Heber City, UT 84032
Phone: 435-649-9540
Online: stateparks.utah.gov and on Facebook
Utah State Parks Mission: To enhance the quality of
life by preserving and providing natural, cultural and
recreational resources for the enjoyment, education
and inspiration of this and future generations.
Jordanelle
State Park
Protecting natural darkness and starry skies
What is Light Pollution?
Excessive use of artificial light.
Glare – visual discomfort from excessive brightness.
Urban sky glow – the brightening of the night sky
from artificial light over inhabited areas.
Light trespass – light falling where it is not
intended, wanted, or needed.
Enjoy the Park’s Night Sky
“In the ‘shooting’ showers of
blazing dust and ice, we have
always found beauty.”
Paul Bogard, The End of Night: Searching for
Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light
99 Test your skills and take a journey
through our Solar System Geocache.
99 View stars, distant planets,
and other celestial objects.
99 Learn about the preservation
and stewardship of dark skies.
99 Visit our website for
scheduled Dark Sky events
such as star parties.
Milky Way over Jordanelle State Park, courtesy of Eric Benedetti
Star party photo, courtesy of NPS/Chris Wonderly
Owl photo, courtesy of USFWS Mountain-Prarie
Orion images, courtesy of GLOBE at Night
Utah State Parks
Light Courtesy in the Park
Poor
Unshielded light
Enjoy the Benefits
of Darker Skies
Better
Partial light shield
Best
Full light shield
The Milky Way is vanishing from urban
neighborhoods, but dark sky friendly
choices improve:
99 Night vision and safety.
99 Courtesy between neighbors.
99 Nesting areas for birds.
99 Energy cost and efficiency.
99 Views of the stars.
Notice Lights in the Park
Belt
Belt
Orion’s
Belt
Jordanelle State Park implements money and
energy saving lighting choices by using:
True Dark
Belt
Dark
Dark sky friendly
Belt
99 Fully shielded light fixtures.
99 Lighting only where needed.
99 Motion sensors, solar sensors, and timers.
99 Low wattage LED bulbs.
99 Amber and warm white bulbs.
Wildlife at Night
An animal’s ability to forage, hunt, migrate,
and sleep relies on the rhythm of daylight and
natural darkness.
True Dark
Rural
City
Can you see the constellation Orion from your home?
Set Out to Stargaze
Chart your start - Study a star chart before
you set out. Choose a celestial object and find
out what time it will it be in view.
Bring Dark Skies Home
Bundle up - Mountain temperatures drop
dramatically after sunset.
If you would like to take steps to protect your
night sky, try following these simple guidelines:
Bring out the blankets and pull up a chair Looking straight up can be a pain in the neck.
Light only where you need it.
Lights out - Switch flashlights off or to red.
It takes 15 minutes to develop your night
vision to see fainter stars.
Shield lights and direct them downward.
Sky landmarks - Use the North Star as
a landmark to find constellations and
objects in the sky.
Find it in the sky - Star formations, planets,
meteors, and satellites.
Light only when you need it.
Use the minimum amount of light necessary.
Use light bulbs with a color temperature of
3000K or lower.
Keep indoor light inside. Close blinds and
curtains when lights are on at night.
