HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. MAYORS REPORT 01/20/2009
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY IN 2009
The elimination of concentrated light pOllution can conserve energy, reduce glare, maintain
desirable community character, safeguard wildlife in their natural environment and restore the
view of the starry night sky. To get a sense for the magnitude of modern light pollution,
consider: When Galileo Galilei studied the Milky Way 400 years ago, it was so bright that it cast
shadows on the ground. Today most Americans no longer live in a place where they can see it
with the naked eye, and as the number of people living in dense urban areas continues to rise,
more of the world's population will not know what is meant by the term "Milky Way".
WHEREAS, the planets, stars and moon as seen by Galileo Galilei in 1609 is still as much a
part of the sky over Mount Prospect as it was in his time; and
WHEREAS, the visual splendor of those celestial bodies while still in the ferment of the Dark
Sky are now obscured and obviated by the ever expanding practice of upward artificial lighting
of the modern age; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 the International Year of Astronomy will return the attention of the world to
that splendor seen by Galileo and restore a view for some for only one night by the simple
curtailment of such illumination; and
WHEREAS, recognition of the International Year of Astronomy is a way of re-acquainting the
community of the year long, as opposed to one day, beauty of the Dark Sky, a uniquely rare
characteristic amidst a metropolitan urban area.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Irvana K. Wilks, Mayor of the Village of Mount Prospect, do hereby
proclaim
"INTERNA T10NAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY IN 2009"
in the Village of Mount Prospect and I call its significance to the residents of the Village, and
encourage everyone to enjoy the splendor of the natural environment of our night sky.
Irvana K. Wilks
Mayor
ATTEST:
M. Lisa Angell
Village Clerk
Dated this 20th day of January, 2009.