The McDonald Observatory ‘Dark Skies Initiative’ is in motion.

The goal is to minimize light pollution in West Texas.

They’ll do it by implementing dark sky friendly lighting.

The McDonald Observatory is located in the Davis Mountains, which historically have had the darkest night skies in the continental US.

“Before we would look to the north, toward the Permain and see mountain ranges on our horizon silhouetted against a starry background now we see them silhouetted against this glow. Illuminating from all this oil and gas related activities,” said Bill Wren, Special Assistant to the Superintendent at McDonald Observatory,

The night skies of West Texas have been challenged with none stop oil and gas operations.

The exploration, production and all the following commerce play a roll.

Wren said, the problem is growing closer and closer to the observatory.

“If you have ever driven down I-20 to Pecos at night but you will just see a sea of lights as far as you can see. Which is all the oil and gas activity spread out over the Permian. The satellite imagery of West Texas, lights seen from space is pretty dramatic,” said Wren.

Wren said this initiative is committed to making West Texas skies get dark and stay dark.

“The sky is continuing to brighten at the observatory, its not slowing down and it gives no indication at this time of slowing down,” said Wren.

Some suggestions by the initiative are, switching out blueish-white lights for amber colored lights.

In addition, pointing lights down toward the ground instead of up towards the sky.

Wren said they have several companies on board with the dark sky friendly lighting.

However, there are hundreds of other operators and contractors that still need to get on board.