Away from city lights, the Lone Star State reveals a celestial canvas that has remained untouched for millennia. Over the past century, cities and suburbs have changed our landscape at an unmatched pace – and while development and progress are inevitable, we should incorporate responsible lighting practices. These will help us see better and, at the same time, will reserve havens where the night remains intact.
Why? In doing so, we will be preserving a unique natural heritage and nurturing a connection with our ancestors. Plus, communities willing to go the extra mile and reverse light pollution have much to gain, both culturally and economically.
What Makes Texan Night Skies Special
Texas’s geographical advantages for stargazing are in the top tier in North America. The state’s vast open spaces, particularly in West Texas and parts of North Texas, combine low humidity, high elevation, and minimal light pollution to create perfect conditions for observing the cosmos. The Davis Mountains, rising above the Chihuahuan Desert, offer some of the clearest, darkest skies in the continental United States. Further up north, the eerie beauty of the High Plains also provides unobstructed views of the horizon, alongside clean air and breathtaking lookout points.
These natural gifts have made Texas home to several world-class observatories, including the McDonald Observatory, which has contributed to groundbreaking astronomical discoveries for nearly a century.
What’s Behind the Tradition of Stargazing?
Almost all ancient civilizations began their path to science through stargazing – and this is also true of the mosaic of peoples that have inhabited Texas since the start of recorded history.
Before the Discovery
Native American tribes used the stars for navigation and timing of important ceremonies. Their rich oral traditions include stories of constellations that connected the heavens to their daily lives. Most of these traditions were passed down from one generation to the next.
The Caddo people lived in East Texas around 800 AD and used celestial observation to time their agricultural and ceremonial calendar. They had specific traditions around the Pleiades star cluster, marking seasonal changes and planting times.
Some historians have also recorded old native stories about the Big Dipper, believed to have been a group of brothers who ascended to the stars.
Later, the Comanche, known as “Lords of the Plains,” were expert night-time navigators. By tracking the stars’ movements, they could traverse and control vast swathes of Texan plains. This way, they could mobilize quickly during the summer, taking advantage of cooler nights.
The Spanish Mission Period
Spanish missionaries later built their missions with astronomical alignments in mind.
Many mission churches were built so that sunlight would fall on specific points during solstices or equinoxes. For example, the Mission San José in San Antonio has architectural features that align with seasonal solar positions.
The astronomical alignment also served symbolic purposes, connecting the Catholic liturgical calendar to celestial events.
From the 1800s onwards
Many of these traditions dwindled during the French colonization period and the Comanchería. Throughout the 1700s, subsequent waves of settlers established short-lived and largely isolated farms. With small local governments and harsh living conditions, there was little room for officials to invest in scientific research or to record their observations.
However, these records only tell part of the story. European pioneers continued to follow the stars to plot their movements. Polaris was used to light the way for cattle farmers driving their herd through the Plains.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s that astronomy returned to official study within the settler’s communities. The first documented telescope in Texas was installed at Baylor University in 1875. By 1880, the University of Texas had actively invested in its astronomy program.
Nowadays, families continue to teach their children to locate the North Star and many constellations, just as their ancestors did. Amateur astronomy clubs flourish across the state, instilling a deep curiosity in the next generation of local innovators.
The night sky often reminds us of our place in the universe through its immutability. It offers us perspective in chaotic times and connects us to the values and lives of previous generations.
Join Us in Protecting Texas’s Celestial Heritage
The story of Texas’s night skies is still being written, and you can be part of its next chapter. By donating to DarkSky Texas, you’ll join a community dedicated to preserving this precious natural resource for future generations. Your support helps us advocate for dark sky-friendly lighting policies, educate communities about light pollution, and protect the cultural and natural heritage that makes Texas nights unique.
