The Catskill moon oft surprises me. After a period of lunar waning with dark night devoid of moonlight, all of a sudden, I’ll be outside, coming or going from my domicile, and the slice of new moon will be stark white, bright against the blue black sky. In winter skies, the moon has company from Sirius, a star that forms one of the three vertices (points) off the Winter Triangle, an asterism (cluster of stars not officially a constellation) prominently visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere from approximately December to March. “Hello, moon. Nice to see you again.”

Nature Deficit Disorder is the nervosa du jour these days. People are disconnected from the natural environment to the point of dis-order or dis-ease. People who live in cities are especially susceptible to functional physical ailments resulting from NDD that range from mild sleep disorders to more severe psychological problems. Lights blaze twenty-four/seven—even from unoccupied office buildings. Buses, cars, cabs and trucks pierce the dark with dual light beams. Streetlamps throw circles of light on sidewalks but also into nearby windows—bedroom or otherwise. Body functions are disrupted through lack of natural circadian rhythms. This winter, my second full-time in the Catskill Mountains, I have relaxed enough into the mountain rhythm to the point where I listen to my body: most winter nights find me in bed by 9 pm, sometimes earlier. Long cold nights make much sense spent in bed with flannel sheets and under warm covers, preferably with a furry four-legged friend of your choice. The power outage at the end of October emphasized our dependence on artificial light. Without electricity to power lamps, there is not much to do or accomplish after dark except maybe to read a book by candlelight or flashlight. Even this activity undertaken in semi-dark rapidly prompts sonambulance and soon, bed beckons. The dark is dark for a reason: to signify to animal body clocks to rest, sleep—a vital aspect of mental and physical health. Artificial lighting has its positive values but, as with most other things, Americans (and others—conspicuous consumption is not limited to Americans) have wildly abused lighting to the point of causing light pollution and probably contributing to many of the health and mental ailments of modern society, not to mention disruptions in ecological systems.

Light pollution is perhaps not as vogue as other sorts of pollution currently targeted by green organizations, perhaps in part because electricity and lighting are so much an ordinary part of most everyone’s life. Flip a switch. Plug in a computer, a coffee machine, a blender—these are all mundane activities that are not quite comparable to and as conspicuous as toxic dumping, factory farming, SUV ownership by those who don’t really need it, biochemical wastes, industrial agriculture, car exhaust or roadside garbage dumping (a particular favorite habit of impolite ski house rental people). Admittedly, before making the acquaintance of Alexander Mallon, professional astrologer, amateur astronomer and Woodland Valley resident, I too was markedly unaware of light pollution, a certain organization called the International Dark Sky Association and the Catskill Region’s unique place within the dark sky regions of the world. 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the first viewing of the heavens by Galileo, so perhaps it is appropriate to turn our attentions skyward, forget about our individual egoistic dramas and focus instead on the vast, continuous expansiveness of the universe, the illumination of stars.

Alexander Mallon
Alexander Mallon’s love of the heavens began with his love of birds, creatures of the air who guide our eyes heavenward. As a child from a family of modest means growing up on Long Island—“a massively light polluted place”—the telescope that Alexander wished for at age four or five wasn’t a possibility. He turned his attention to birding, memorizing the North American Field Guide to Birds and joining his father each weekend for Audubon Society walks. “I studied Nature as a Naturalist, not as a scientist. I’d study mammals, minerals, rock and even performed taxidermy on birds that I’d find dead or frozen.” At around age eleven, Alexander began checking out library books that detailed telescope building and at age twelve he had commenced building his own telescope after convincing his father to drive him to an optical store and purchasing equipment with $60 he’d saved. Alexander’s Capricorn sign endows him with a propensity toward great skepticism and, as a young amateur astronomer, he intentionally sought out “silly astrology things” and spoke out “vehemently and vociferously against astrology.” Thinking that to really know the enemy would give him an advantage in disavowing astrology, Alexander really focused on studying astrology and ,much to his surprise and initial disconcert, his discoveries resonated with him. “I read Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs and scoffed that half the signs were not me. Yet, the other half were. 50/50 is not very scientific, but then I did my own chart and discovered that six planets that corresponded to what was me were in my chart. The other six signs that I felt had no relation to me at all, these corresponding planets were not in my chart.” At around age 14 Alexander realized that he was able to intuit and realize other people’s history. “I basically realized while I was in the midst of all of this intense adolescent turbulence that I was sensitive, a psychic. I found support and solace in ancient systems to understand what I was experiencing.” At sixteen, Alexander realized this was his life’s calling and was practicing soon thereafter.

Alexander is now in his thirtieth year of practice as a Certified Astrologer, Integrative Counselor and Intuitive. Alexander’s consultations usually last between one to two hours. Depending on your needs and concerns, this can either be a one time session or it can serve as a starting point for further exploration. All consultations can be audiotaped and can be held in person or via telephone—Alexander’s clients in Hawaii, Italy and the United Kingdom find both convenient and effective. Astrology, a para-science, ties in mythos and human experience, Nature and the night sky. Several times Alexander mentions, “As above, so below.” Astrology is not so much prediction but mirror. “Western astrology is most valid when applied as a mirror or symbolic tool to describe an individual’s emotional, spiritual and psychological background and make-up and its root—the connections to the world around us. It is the most ancient of parasciences, it is also an interpretive art promoting the conjoining of the logical, rational mind with the spiritual and intuitive soul-sense.” Alexander’s services include: therapeutic astrology and integrative healing counseling, relationship/synastry techniques, cycle work and forecasting techniques, astrocartography and relocation tools and horary question and event charts.

The separation of human from Nature or even more egregious, the declaration that man has dominance over Nature has fostered a schism between astronomy (pure science) and astrology (parascience) with many scientists—indeed many laypersons neither astrologer or astronomer—belittling or denouncing astrology. As such, the National Council for Geocosmic Research was formed in 1971 in order to “provide an environment to foster and publish research of a geocosmic nature and to pursue educational programs in various interdisciplinary fields related to geocosmic studies with a view to granting certification recognizing individual achievement in such fields.” As defined by NCGR, the term geocosmic means “of or pertaining to the study of correspondences and cycles involving earthly phenomena and cosmic (celestial) events.” The NCGR serves as a resource (books, publications, journals, newsletters, recordings) for and as a certification body to ensure the highest professional and ethical standards among astrologers. Alexander mentions that there has been a “huge push to have astrology fit into the Scientific Model.” While astronomy seeks to explain Natural Phenomena, astrology’s purpose is to assist the human relationship to the Natural world. If we are not of Nature, of what, then, are we?

In addition to professional work involving astrology, Alexander owns a Twenty Inch Dobsonian Reflecting Telescope and hosts Astronomical Sky Tours for private gatherings and Public Observing Sessions through several local organizations. To put things in perspective, a 20-inch scope is twice the size of most university telescopes. Alexander’s is the second largest telescope in the Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions. “When we see things with our own naked eye, we realize: I am a speck in Creation, on Earth, in the Universe. When we lose the connection with Nature, we lose respect and perspective.” Losing the night sky to light pollution is to loose our connection to a part of Nature and therefore, a part of ourselves as human beings of Nature.

Alexander Mallon can be reached via e-mail at astroskywatcher@yahoo.com or via phone at 845 688 9751. You can also visit his Web site at www.astrologyspirit.com. Please contact Mirabai Books in Woodstock (www.mirabai.com” for more information on Alexander Mallon’s Public Viewing Sessions. Alexander has hosted amateur astronomy sessions at Menla Mountain Retreat as recent as September of 2008 and there are Public Viewing Sessions scheduled for summer of 2009. Please contact Menla Mountain Retreat (www.menla.org) for more information. Alexander is available to bring his 20” Dobsonian Reflecting Telescope to private homes for an Astronomical Sky Tour.

International Dark-Sky Association
Apparently, when the blackout of 2003 occurred, and Manhattan Island and other parts of New York City were dark, the Milky Way was still not visible because of the light pollution from New Jersey. So, what exactly is light pollution?

According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) “Light pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light, including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste. Light pollution wastes energy, affects astronomers and scientists, disrupts global wildlife and ecological balance, and has been linked to negative consequences in human health.” Formed in 1988, the 501.3(c) IDA’s mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. The IDA seeks to stop the adverse affects of light pollution, raise awareness of light pollution, its adverse affects and solutions and educate about the values of quality outdoor lighting. The IDA concerts a unified approach that involves communities, astronomers, ecologists and lighting professionals at the local, national and international levels.

Some explanations of light pollution terms: Sky glow is caused when street and other outdoor lighting is directed upward as well as downward and contributes to a sort of dome like glow over a town or village. In motoring around the Catskill Region, I’ve seen distinct sky glow from Windham and Phoenicia, and not so much from Hunter. Hiking enthusiast friends who hike at night have told me that standing on certain south-facing Catskill Mountain ledges, the sky glow from Westchester and New York City is visible—nearly 100 miles away. Glare occurs anytime a light fixture isn’t properly shielded and can cause brief, temporary blindness in the observer. This is especially harmful when driving. A solution to this is to affix proper shields so that the bare bulb is not visible. Blindness of any sort on dark country roads shared by motorists and fauna is heightened cause for accidents. Light trespass occurs when light from a fixture trespasses or spills into an area that is not intended to be lit, as in a street lamp that throws excess light into a private house or a residential fixture that spills over onto portions of a neighbor’s property. Light clutter is excessive groupings of lights which may cause confusion. Think Las Vegas.

Succinctly, light pollution can be expressed as wasting over $1 billion a year in lighting up the night sky in ways that do not serve any purpose for safety, utility or security. In addition to wasted energy dollars, light pollution affects life. Human health is compromised by throwing off natural circadian rhythm. Sleep disorders are prevalent in modern society where the majority of people live in over-illuminated city or suburban areas. (I haven’t met many—if any—folks with prescriptions for sleep aids in the country. Night comes and soon after, sleep.) More disturbing, artificially lit environments can slow the production of melatonin “the hormone that tells the body’s organs and systems that it is dark. Reduced levels of melatonin—in addition to disrupting healthful sleep cycles—promote growth of breast tumors in women and may similarly affect other cancers, including prostate cancer. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has listed ‘shiftwork that involves circadian disruption’ among agents and exposure circumstances that are ‘probably carcinogenic to humans.’”

Ecological damage is also perpetrated by light pollution. “Artificial light at night has been shown to affect the mating, migration and predation behaviors of many different species and, consequently, the ecological community as a whole. For example, Lighted towers and tall buildings can so confuse migrating and local birds that they collide with other birds or structures or circle the lights until they die of exhaustion. Bats and moths are affected, as well. Sea turtle hatchlings are naturally attracted to the ocean by the light of the moon, which is intended by nature to be the brightest light on any given night; but coastline lighting confuses them. It lures them away from the ocean and towards the dangers of roads and predators. Night lighting that increases sky glow around sports stadiums can stop the mating activity of nearby frogs. Artificial lighting reduces visibility of species that communicate through light (bioluminescent flashes), such as glowworms and fireflies. Use of intense lights for fishing at night on the ocean or along the shoreline attracts large numbers of fish, a method that leads to over-fishing and contributes to the decline of fish worldwide.” (Information obtained from IDA Web site: www.darksky.org/mc/page.do) Frogs, turtles and birds are beings that are relatively minute in comparison to the mighty human, but because the ecological web is an interconnected web—despite our myopic vision and general inability to honor this relationship—a disruption in any microcosm will eventually affect the macrocosm.

According to Alexander Mallon, the Catskill Region has some of the darkest skies in the northeast, comparable to dark sky regions of the White Mountains in New Hampshire or the Adirondacks in New York or even the Grand Canyon—a fact even more surprising given the close proximity of the light-polluted New York City and the Tri-State area. The area from Phoenicia through to Margaretville and Andes is perhaps the darkest corridors in the Catskill Mountains. Clear Sky Chart (www.clearskychart.com/csk/), an adjunct Web site to IDA lists the following Catskill Region locations that track night darkness: Cobleskill, Deposit, Fleischmanns, Phoenicia and SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. Clear Sky Chart lists hundreds of astronomical forecasts—when skies will be clear and dark for specific observing sites. The charts predict hourly cloud cover and atmospheric transparency and good “seeing”—when the air is steady enough to allow the observer to see fine details on planets viewed through a telescope.

Combatting Light Pollution
Contractors, architects, landscape designers, homeowners and legislative committees can refer to the Best Choice Lighting section on the IDA Web site at www.darksky.org. Dark sky-friendly lighting does not mean dark ground. Use outdoor light at night only when and where it is needed and at appropriate lighting levels. Fully shielded and light efficient fixtures that are aimed directly at the ground go a long way in combatting light pollution and still giving the desired lighting effect. Timers and sensors that shut off lights when not needed also aid in reducing light pollution (and in reducing electricity bills!). The IDA has developed a Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA) program for dark sky-friendly fixtures. The Fixture Seal of Approval provides objective, third-party certification for luminaires that minimize glare, reduce light trespass, and don’t pollute the night sky. For a modest fee, IDA will evaluate the photometric data of any luminaire submitted by its manufacturer. When the fixture is approved, the manufacturer receives a certificate and the Fixture Seal of Approval. Manufacturers may use the FSA seal to promote and advertise their IDA-Approved™ dark sky friendly products.” For more information please visit www.darksky.org/mc/page.do

Residents can also talk to local village town boards about safer and more effective lighting on local streets and byways to avoid collisions with people/deer/bear and wildlife in general.

The Catskill Park: International Dark Sky Park?
The IDA also has criteria for designating and establishing a park or other public land an International Dark Sky Park through the International Dark Sky Places program. These parks, communities or reserves protect our nightscapes. Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah was the first such park designated in 2006. In order to qualify, the park or territory must “possess exceptional starry night skies and natural nocturnal habitat where light pollution is mitigated and natural darkness is valuable as an important educational, cultural, scenic, and natural resource.” In 2008 Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania was the second IDA Park to be designated. Could the Catskill Park be next? If the Catskill Park were to receive this status, it would invite nature lovers and astronomers—both groups having environmental and community friendly attitudes; astronomers who usually bring a strong financial boost to local inns and restaurants. Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania sees thousands of amateur astronomers come to their area every year, and that number grows year by years as amateurs discover the dark skies there.