Night Skies On The Border

Terlingua, Texas, a town located in the Big Bend region, is an astrotourism destination where locals and tourists alike protect the night sky. Over the summer, a new fight began against the further development and upward expansion of the border wall. By the time this article was published, locals had already begun to see more lights installed near the border.

“It’s not just the lighting associated with the wall, it’s the lighting associated with all the auxiliary things that are going to be coming with it,” Ms. Harrison said. “The impacts are potentially immediate.” (Miller/Elconin, 2026)

The additional lighting could pose an economic threat to the town since much of its business relies on astrotourism.

The loss could also disrupt a budding economic avenue. Stargazing was the second-most reported activity in the region, according to a tourism survey conducted in 2022. (Miller/Elconin, 2026)

References

How long will the natural darkness last? (By The New York Times). (n.d.). [Photo]. Big Bend Region, United States of America.

Miller, K., & Elconin, E. (2026, July 14). Dark Sky Defenders Raise Alarm Along the Border of West Texas. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/science/texas-astronomy-dark-sky-border.html

Telescope beside bed (By The New York Times). (n.d.). [Photo]. Big Bend Region, United States of America.

View of mountains beyond fence(By The New York Times). (n.d.). [Photo]. Big Bend Region, United States of America.