New Zealand town is in the dark — and proud of it

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_new_zeala ... g_the_dark

That's great! Thanks for sharing the story

I once had to drive 75 miles to see the Milky Way. Way to go, New Zealand! It is possible to have sufficient light to walk in and still see the Sky.

ruveyn

Cool town, would like to live there...

Bah, I can walk 50 m and see the night sky perfectly.

Is it far south enough to where the days are 3 months long?

There is a reason for this!! !

Lake Tekapo is a small town located at the southern end of the lake of the same name in the inland South Island of New Zealand. The lake is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are located at the township. The lake's outflow into the Tekapo River is close to the town. The lake is at the upper end of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme, and as such, several dams and artificial canals are found near its outflow, linking it with Lake Pukaki.

Selected for its very clear atmosphere, large number of clear sky nights, and lack of light pollution Mount John University Observatory is located on a small hill to the north of the town, and south of the small Lake Alexandrina. Originally set up by the University of Pennsylvania (looking for a southern hemisphere location), it is now run by the University of Canterbury. From 1969 to 1982, the United States Air Force had a satellite tracking station adjacent to the observatory.

The NZ Army has a large training range located at Tekapo. It is used for general military exercises and for pre-deployment training of forces being sent to Afghanistan.

No.