A lot of states have rules about light pollution. Arizona took it a step further. Northern Arizona—especially around Flagstaff—is home to some of the strictest dark sky laws in the world, created to protect the massive observatories that study the universe from our own backyard. In fact, Flagstaff became the world’s first International Dark Sky City back in 2001. Here’s what those regulations actually require: • Outdoor lights must be fully shielded so they shine downward, not into the sky • Strict limits on brightness (lumens) for homes and businesses • Warmer-colored lighting is encouraged to reduce blue light scatter • Certain signs and commercial lighting have nighttime restrictions • Stadiums and large venues have special lighting standards • New construction has to meet dark sky requirements before approval And it’s not just one city. These rules extend across Flagstaff, much of Coconino County, and areas surrounding major observatories like Lowell Observatory and the U.S. ...