Williamson County Friends of the Night Sky

06/19/2026

There are better lighting decisions that offer safer environments and enhance visibility.
1. Only use light if needed
2. Shield the light down where needed
3. No brighter than necessary
4. Use only when needed
5. Use warmer colors like amber/red (no blue)

Home assessments are easy and cost effective.
https://yozora.store

Light Trespass Alert: Forney

This glow is coming from over 500 feet away.

One property. Multiple homes negatively affected.

Light travels farther than most people realize.

https://darkskytexas.org/light-trespass-in-texas/

06/19/2026

🌌

12,275 signatures from 90 countries.

That's the power of a global community speaking up for the future of the night.

Today, DarkSky sent an open letter to Reflect Orbital CEO Ben Nowack and the company's investors, raising serious concerns about Reflect Orbital's proposal to launch reflective technology into orbit and redirect sunlight back to Earth at night.

We support innovation—but innovation should be accompanied by transparency, scientific review, and meaningful public dialogue, especially for technologies that will have wide-reaching impacts on the nighttime environment and our shared night sky.

Along with the signed letter, we included a bottle of "Orbital Defense"—a playful nod to our April Fools' campaign, which featured a sunscreen for the night. While tongue-in-cheek, it illustrates a serious point: technologies like these have the potential to fundamentally change the night as we know it, with impacts that are still yet to be fully understood.

Let's look before we launch.

Learn more about DarkSky's position on Orbital Illumination Systems and sign up for future activation updates: https://bit.ly/3KVsuvu

06/15/2026

Look up! 🌌🪺

06/14/2026

On National Flag Day, it’s a great opportunity to think about how we light our flags.

Responsible flag lighting can honor both the flag and the night:
• Use targeted lighting focused only on the flag
• Choose the lowest brightness needed — many flags only require around 200 lumens
• Select warm color temperatures like 2700K or 3000K
• Avoid excess light spilling into the sky or neighboring properties

Protecting the night doesn’t mean giving up meaningful traditions. It means lighting with intention. ✨

To find more DarkSky Approved flag lighting options, visit: https://bit.ly/4vhALM3

📷 Photo: Eagle Mountain Flag & Flagpole StarGazer Flagpole Downlight w/ External Halyard taken at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Wimberley, Texas.

06/13/2026

✨ Introducing… Yozora ✨

If you’ve ever wished there was an easy way to reduce glare from your porch lights without replacing the entire fixture, this is it.

Meet Yozora! A new small business creating simple 3D-printed porch light shields that help direct light downwards where it’s needed. Affordable path to dark sky lighting retrofits! “Protect the Night. Keep the Light.”

But what makes this even more special is the story behind it.

“Yozora began with a simple realization: some of the most beautiful things in nature are disappearing from everyday life. For many people, the stars are hidden behind a growing glow of artificial light. As I learned more about light pollution and its effects on wildlife, ecosystems, and our connection to the night sky, I began looking for practical ways to help.” - Eli

Please take a few minutes to read about founder Eli. He’s a local from our Texas Hill Country who is currently studying in Colorado, where communities are also embracing Dark Sky practices in incredible ways. Inspired by what he’s experienced, he decided to create an affordable solution that makes responsible lighting accessible to everyone.

🌟https://yozora.store/pages/about-us-1

🌟https://yozora.store/

I already have a few on the way and can’t wait to test them out! If they work as well as I think they will, this could be one of the easiest upgrades homeowners can make to improve comfort, reduce glare, and help protect our beautiful night skies.

And the name? Yozora (夜空) is the Japanese word for “night sky.” The attention to detail and heart behind this project shines through in every part of it.

If you’ve ever thought, “I support Dark Sky principles, but I don’t know where to start,” this might be your answer. One small shield on one porch light, imagine the difference if an entire community made one simple change.

Let’s help a young entrepreneur, support practical solutions, and keep our stars shining bright. 💫

Yozora

06/12/2026

🌌✨ Even the Pope is Calling for Darker Skies ✨🌌

In a recent address to the Vatican Observatory Foundation, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke passionately about the importance of protecting our night skies, describing the ability to gaze upon the stars as a gift shared by all humanity. He warned that "we have filled our skies with man-made light that blinds us to the lights God has placed there" and highlighted the growing threat posed by light pollution.

At Dark Sky Ireland, we couldn't agree more.

For several years, we have been working with faith communities across Ireland, including our partnership with St Patrick's Church Newport Mayo, demonstrating how churches can lead by example through responsible outdoor lighting that protects biodiversity, reduces energy use, preserves our shared heritage, and allows future generations to experience the wonder of a star-filled sky.

Churches have always been places of reflection, community, and connection. By embracing dark-sky-friendly lighting, they can also become powerful champions for environmental stewardship.
Looking for practical ways to help nature thrive in your own community? The Heritage Council's HAVENS FOR NATURE resource provides simple actions to create more wildlife-friendly spaces, including reducing unnecessary artificial lighting and protecting natural darkness. Darkness is nature's habitat too. 🌿🦇✨
https://www.darksky.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Havens-for-Nature_Supporting-Biodiversity-in-Faith-Grounds.pdf

As Ireland continues to lose its natural nightscapes, protecting darkness is no longer just about astronomy—it's about biodiversity, climate action, cultural heritage, human wellbeing, and reconnecting with the natural world.

💡 Let's light only what we need and leave the rest of the night to nature.



Dark Source Mayo Dark Skies Mayo County Council Vatican Observatory Vatican News DarkSky International