Dark Sky Park in Mexico Faces Threats from Urban Light Pollution

Joya-La Barreta Park, a rare urban dark sky sanctuary, is endangered by increasing light pollution and urbanization.

• Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park in Queretaro is Latin America's first urban dark sky site, certified by DarkSky International.
• Amateur astronomers like Juan Carlos Hernández are advocating for state regulations to curb light pollution threatening the park's dark sky status.
• A 2023 study found artificial lighting makes the night sky 10% brighter annually, impacting stargazing and ecological balance.
• The park hosts 123 vertebrate species, with nocturnal biodiversity relying on natural darkness for survival and activity.
• Efforts to enforce Mexico's General Law of Ecological Balance in Queretaro remain stalled, risking the park's certification.

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