Thursday, December 12, 2024

Urban Park’s Night Sky in Central Mexico Draws Stargazers Concerned About Its Future

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At Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park, located near Queretaro, Mexico, the night sky captivates stargazers amidst the sounds of frogs and the emergence of stars. The park, recognized as Latin America’s first urban dark sky site by DarkSky International, faces ongoing threats from light pollution due to urbanization. Juan Carlos Hernández, a prominent advocate for preserving the night sky and president of the Queretaro Astronomical Society, emphasizes the impact of artificial lighting on both human circadian rhythms and local biodiversity, which relies on natural light cycles. Despite the challenges, including legislative hurdles in enforcing light pollution regulations, community efforts continue to engage citizens in conservation and stargazing activities, underscoring the park’s importance for future generations. As a poignant reminder of this mission, young visitors like 10-year-old Matti González find joy in observing celestial wonders, embodying the park’s hope for lasting awareness and advocacy.

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