Scenic City Dark Sky Project “Lights Out Chattanooga” Event - Friday 11/6/26 (5-10 PM) at Greenway Farm Park
Join us for an evening of star gazing and learning about the importance of darker skies within our community!
Light pollution is increasing almost exponentially around the world. Although Chattanooga has made positive changes over the past several decades, our National Park City remains significantly impacted by the harmful effects of over-lighting. Eighty percent of the world’s population lives under sky glow, including Chattanooga and surrounding cities, which not only reduces our own connection with nature, but it drastically affects wildlife and other living things. In addition, changing our approach to the way we use outdoor lighting can be safer while also providing cost savings.
“Lights Out Chattanooga” is a free public event presented by the Scenic City Dark Sky Project, which is an initial collaboration between the Barnard Astronomical Society (BAS) of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Clarence T. Jones Observatory (CTJO) to promote darker skies within our local communities. Co-sponsors of this event include Chattanooga National Park City, Outdoor Chattanooga, Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors, and Chattanooga Audubon Society.
This Chattanooga National Park City Seed event is a public gathering to provide Chattanoogans with an opportunity to experience the benefit of less light pollution within the city limits. Situated on 180-acres along the North Chickamauga Creek in Hixson, Greenway Farm Park is an immersion into nature, which makes this park an excellent choice to hold an inaugural event highlighting the negative effect of over-lighting.
As visitors arrive, they will first be provided with the opportunity to learn about how lighting affects everything from bird migration, insects, wildlife, and of course humans. We will also have hands-on demonstrations, fun activities, and information about the importance of everyday citizens taking small, positive actions towards darker skies by using responsible lighting.
Once the sun sets at 5:42 PM, new visitors will arrive at Greenway Farm Park without traditional bright white lighting. Instead, guests will be greeted by lots of red lights, which allows visitors to safely navigate the park without losing their “night vision”. Small hand-held red lights will also be provided to each visitor as they enter the park.
Twilight ends and official astronomical nighttime begins at 7:09 PM that evening, so all remaining non-red lights within the park and information/activities area will be turned off. Participating residents within the surrounding neighborhoods will also turn off all unnecessary exterior lighting so visitors can witness the impact of darker skies that further connect us with nature.
At this point in the evening, the event will transition into a star party! Volunteers with the BAS and UTC CTJO will have a variety of different types of telescopes set up for the public to view celestial objects in the night sky under relatively darker conditions. The information/activities area will however be open until at least 9 PM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Scenic City Dark Sky Project is dedicated to reclaiming the natural heritage of our night sky. We advocate for reducing light pollution through safe, responsible outdoor lighting to protect our local ecosystem, enhance our community’s well-being, and ensure that the wonders and curiosities of the universe remain visible to every dreamer within the Scenic City.
For more information on supporting dark skies and our Lights Out Chattanooga event, please visit the BAS website (https://www.barnardastronomy.org/protecting-dark-skies and https://www.barnardastronomy.org/upcoming-events) and the National Park City “Harvest Fest” page dedicated to this event (https://www.npcseeds.org/seeds/169e6bdf-1753-4c8c-9e4a-3c90ee7e9d35).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Lights Out Chattanooga” Schedule of Events:
5:00 PM Guest arrival at Greenway Farm and “Information, Education, and Activities” area opens
5:42 PM Sunset
7:09 PM Official nighttime and star party begins (only red lights from this point on)
10:00 PM Star party and event ends
Important Note: If possible, please arrive no later 6-6:30 PM to take advantage of the “Information, Education, and Activities” area before nighttime and to limit interference from car headlights; especially after nighttime begins at around 7 PM. To ensure visitors enjoy an evening under darker skies while maintaining “night vision”, guests that may desire to arrive late or leave early are highly encouraged to park in the alternate lot across from the dog park (access via Hamil Road entrance).
Map for the “Lights Out Chattanooga” Event