The document advocates for stargazing tours at Bryce, highlighting the extraordinary visibility of celestial bodies, including the Andromeda Galaxy and over 7,500 stars. It discusses the philosophical and scientific implications of darkness, emphasizing its essential role in nature and the threats posed by artificial light. The writer presents darkness as both a fragile and beautiful phenomenon that deserves protection and appreciation.

1. Why should your tours stargaze at Bryce? (Tues, Thurs, Sat, May - October) Great Sky! – 7.4 magnitude Great Rift in Milky Way Andromeda Galaxy 7500 Stars!

2. It cannot be seen, It cannot be felt. Cannot be heard, Cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars, And under hills, And empty holes it fills. It comes first, And follows after. Ends life, And kills laughter. - J.R.R. Tolkien It is a place to hunt, It is a place to hide. A common fear to overcome, Rare beauty protected with pride. It brightens the stars, And endures our Moon, But by our cities laid ruin. Celebrating its function, May make many wealthy, But ignoring its necessity, Will make all unhealthy. - Kevin “The Dark Ranger” Poe Darkness is Dangerous? So darkness is… Essential? What’s Darkness Anyway?

3. Not long ago, in a national park nearby…. By ark Ranger Kevin Poe D P DARK WARS From the national parks, armed with science, mythology & a love for all things nocturnal, warrior poets pushed back against the light. They were called Dark Rangers. And no one knew their names. YEAR VlII A GLOWING MENACE By the 3rd millennium, the reckless use of light nearly vanquished the night. A formidable few rushed to defend the last sanctuaries of natural darkness.

4. Websters says: Darkness (n) is the absence of light Modern Physics says Light is: a particle = “photon” (and/or) a wave = “probability wave” has mass (or at least electro-mass) travels at 186,282 miles/sec (300,000 km/sec) measures distance (light year = 10,000,000,000,000 km) So where isn’t Light (=darkness)? empty space? (between galaxies?) in black holes? (‘cuz they’re black?) underground! (caves and mines!) What’s Darkness Anyway? Lehman Cave, Great Basin NP, NV

5. So darkness is… in the eyes of the beholder? Threshold of Vision 15 photons/sec per rod 150,000 rods per mm 2 (Human retina) 1,000,000 rods per mm 2 (Great Horned Owl retina) & with tapetum lucidum = 40x night vision Darkness is when I can’t see? What’s Darkness Anyway?

6. Math says… Light’s intensity diminishes at: S 4 п r 2 So darkness is… Very Dispersed light? 1/15 sec refresh rate What’s Darkness Anyway?

7. Mtn. Lion Elk Northern Saw Whet Owl Sphinx Moth W. Chorus Frog Trout Owl Darkness is Noisy! What’s Darkness Anyway?

8. Mtn. Lion Elk Northern Saw Whet Owl Sphinx Moth W. Chorus Frog Trout Moth Owl Frog Fish Lion Darkness is noisy! What’s Darkness Anyway?

9. Mtn. Lion Elk Northern Saw Whet Owl Sphinx Moth So darkness sustains: Almost all amphibians Innumerable insects Most mammals Frequently fish Bunches of birds W. Chorus Frog Trout Darkness is noisy! What’s Darkness Anyway?

10. The light from a single candle: is visible at 3.5 miles (6 km) kills moths What’s Darkness Anyway?

11. The light from a single Candle: is visible at 3.5 miles (6 km) kills moths at 24” (60 cm) can increase spread of cancer! Zzzzz Melatonin So darkness is… Fragile? What’s Darkness Anyway? Light pointed sideways Light pointed up Light pointed down but bouncing up

12. Darkness is increasingly… Rare! Because darkness is… Fragile What’s Darkness Anyway?

13. “ I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day” Vincent van Gogh So darkness is… Beautiful? What’s Darkness Anyway?