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Everyday after sundown, the homes at Arizona Sky Village turn on their red lights. Some say they look like a bunch of whore houses.
Instead of luring customers, the red lights allow people to see in the dark, while protecting night adapted eyes. For amateur astronomers night vision is a crucial part of their hobby.
Arizona Sky Village is nestled under the shadow of the Chiricahua Mountain Range in Portal Arizona. It is the first real estate community devoted exclusively to amateur astronomy and dark skies.
Dark skies are a valued commodity for amateur astronomers especially in a light polluted world that is destroying the night sky.
The community started about eight years ago. Residents come from a variety of diverse backgrounds, and geographical regions with a one common interest to enjoy the night sky.
The developers claim that it doesn’t get any better than this. The community is located in a remote location, so there is a lack of light pollution with dark skies. The community also boasts mild winters, high elevation, low humidity and more than 350 days of sunshine and starry nights.
Being from Canada, mild winters especially appeal to me.
Well known astrophotography Jack Newton, who has been inspirational to the amateur astronomy community for the last 40 years, is also at the site.
It’s definitely on my bucket list and one of those places, I would like to visit. Check it out at http://www.arizonaskyvillage.com/
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