A City in Stars

The city is not usually a place you can look up and

see the stars.

TISL Bill 8-A – A resolution encouraging Dark Sky areas in Tennessee – wants to change that.

This resolution, whose sponsor, Austin Travis, was present in the debate, encourages cities, counties and the State Parks to work towards achieving dark sky designations from the International Dark Sky Association.

Travis brought up in the committee that citizens cannot see the stars and so this should encourage city/states to take steps to limit light pollution by making streetlights point downward.

This bill also opened up questions on safety concerns due to the streets not being lit enough.

Travis mentioned that safety does not have to be sacrificed by merely “limiting the blockage of light and pointing the lights downward.”

This resolution stated that the decision would bring in tourists who wanted to see the stars and it has “the ability to be efficient as a community and lessening pollution.”

Travis also mentioned that this Bill would be a step towards taking back and helping the community.

A student brought up her personal life by mentioning how she could not see the night sky when she laid down on the lawn in the courtyard.

The vote passed unanimously to be accepted.