The Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky Board and some of its volunteers gathered on December 18th to celebrate the Christmas season. Many thanks to our Santa, President of BCFNS, Wayne Gosnell, and his wife, Martha for hosting a wonderful evening.

This social time included reminiscing about some of our 2024 accomplishments and discussing goals for 2025. We also enjoyed some great conversation and wonderful food, including homemade tamales and a little eggnog made from scratch with lots of cream and “nog”. The highlight beverage was the Glühwein!!! Martha’s recipe for this German spiced wine was served in authentic Glühwein cups. Wayne and Martha bought the cups at the German Christmas markets while stationed in Germany.

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NIGHT SKY FUN AT BLANCO STATE PARK

Saturday night, December 28th, Blanco State Park held an Introduction to Astronomy class led by Ranger Katy at the Park Pavilion. Ranger Katy spoke about how to navigate the stars and other night sky objects and where to look during different seasons.

Ranger Katy also had a special guest, BCFNS’s very own Wizard of the Night Sky! The Wizard provided information about light pollution and the benefits of dark skies. He explained, to a group of 30+ local and visiting guests, how easy it is to have the security of light AND enjoy the stars and planets.

Three volunteers from Hill Country Astronomers were there with their telescopes giving everyone a closer view of Jupiter and its moons, Venus, Saturn and some of the stars.

Up next at Blanco State Park will be “Marvel at the Moon” on Friday, January 10th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. For more information go to: Blanco State Park Events

The Wizard discussing night sky pollution and Jack Petersen adjusting a telescope.

WHAT IS PLANNED FOR 2025?

Blanco County SQM Cluster

As a part of our Vision Statement and Mission Statement for the next ten years, we have decided to create a Blanco County SQM Cluster. A SQM (Sky Quality Meter) measures the darkness of the sky directly overhead. The Blanco County SQM Cluster will be the installation of at least 13 permanent continuous read SQM’s around Blanco County to provide almost total coverage for the county for the next ten years. Our first SQM has been installed and the next two are planned.

Data from the Blanco County SQM Cluster is sent on a bi-monthly basis to DarkSky Texas for their analysis and graphing and to Globe At Night at the University of Hong Kong for input into their worldwide database.

For more information on the solar powered SQM see http://unihedron.com/projects/sqm-sc/. Here it is installed on T-Post

We need 10 more installation sites.

If you want to see if your property qualifies as a Blanco County SQM Cluster site, contact dba@BlancoCountyNightSky.org. There is no cost to you or work on your part; it will all be funded by donors and handled by volunteers.

If you want to help fund this project (SQM’s are $500 each), go to https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/donations.php. When you get to the bottom of the donation screen, click on “Write a comment”, then type in “SQM” to restrict your donation to use on the Blanco County SQM Cluster

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Every Door Direct Mail^TM

In 2025, BCFNS will continue with its education programs through mailings, newspaper ads and social media. This is the third year for this very successful project. We will:
• Send a 6” x 9” postcard to every mailing address in Blanco County using the United States Postal Service EDDM service
• Run two different 1/4 page ads in two issues (one month apart) of the Blanco County News and the Johnson City Record Courier
• Post 10 days of social media ads
• Send email promos to our newsletter distribution list
• Follow-up with a survey via email

Do you remember these cards from 2023 and 2024?






















If you want to help fund this project, go to https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/donations.php. When you get to the bottom of the donation screen, click on “Write a comment”, then type in “EDDM” to restrict your donation to use on the EDDM Project. The EDDM Project cost is $3,700.

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Business Recognition Program

The Recognized Night Sky Friendly Businesses program of the Blanco Chamber Of Commerce has been a huge success and was revitalized in 2024. BCFNS administers the program for the Blanco Chamber Of Commerce. In 2025, BCFNS will work on creating a similar program in Johnson City.

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Art Contest

The 7^th Annual Art Contest for Middle Schools and High Schools in both the Blanco and Johnson City ISD’s. Over 150 entries last year.

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Poetry Contest

Just because it is fun and brings some latent talent out of people, the 4th Annual BCFNS Facebook Group Poetry Contest will be held in January. Rules will be posted in the BCFNS Facebook Group on January 1. This year’s theme: What is a star?

If you want to enter or vote, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/bcfns

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Help With Enforcing Outdoor Lighting Ordinances

In 2024, BCFNS established a fund to help enforce the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance (OLO) in municipalities in Blanco County. This program will be continued throughout 2025.

If you want to help fund this project, go to https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/donations.php When you scroll down the screen, you will find two windows in which you may contribute.

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Wizard Of The Night Sky Programs

BCFNS provides free informative and educational presentations throughout Blanco County. The Wizard Of The Night Sky presents to schools and groups of five or more. Click here to Book The Wizard.

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Joint Efforts With Other Hill Country Counties

Light pollution isn’t just a Blanco County problem. Adjoining counties have similar problems and their problems shine over us in Blanco County. BCFNS will continue to work with other counties in efforts of common benefit.

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Work With Hill Country Alliance

Work with the Hill Country Alliance to secure state-wide night sky preservation legislation

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