A recommendation by the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission last week on sports lighting systems has left local astronomers and Dark Skies advocates puzzled.

A recommendation by the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission last week on sports lighting systems has left local astronomers and Dark Skies advocates puzzled.

On July 19, the commission voted 4-1 in favor of a Class III lighting system for Thorpe Park that is four times as bright as the old lights on the ballfield. City Council has the final say.

The vote came despite strong public support for a Class IV lighting system that would still be twice as bright as the old lights but is favored by astronomers.

U.S. Naval Observatory astronomer and dark skies advocate Chris Luginbuhl, who attended both public Parks and Rec meetings on the proposed lighting system, said there was little public support in either meeting for the Class III lighting system.

Arizona Daily Sun