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Landscapes | Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

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Flowery gardens and sculpted lawns bring curb appeal during the day.

And it doesn't take much effort to showcase that same attraction at night.

Lighting, whether inexpensive path lights, or the more elaborate, impressive, expensive landscaped lighting systems, can illuminate trees, bushes, gardens, patios, pathways, stairs, flags, and even homes pointing out what you want others to see (and hiding what you don't).

And while a well-lit lawn may seem like a luxury, it's as simple and affordable as a homeowner wants and needs it to be.

Start with basic-level lawn lighting, solar lights, which draw energy from the sun, store it in batteries, and emit light through low-wattage LED bulbs.

As the technology has improved, particularly the brightness and energy efficiency of the LED bulbs, which last years and now provide close to the same amount of light as standard halogen bulbs, so has the popularity of solar lighting.

What used to occupy a small portion of a store's landscape lighting selection has become the trend in do-it-yourself outdoor lighting, said Wayne Mildenstein, an electrical associate for six years at the Lowe's Sylvania Township location, 7000 Central Ave.

Its a lot cheaper and its a lot easier than other electric-powered lawn lighting, he said. You just stick it in the ground and there it is.

Darrell Smock, a 70-year-old recently retired West Toledo resident, was sold on outdoor solar lighting several years ago for those same reasons. There are now 20 solar-powered lights in his backyard and four in the median in front of his home.

He estimates hes spent $150 on the lighting products in that time, including replacement for the batteries if not entirely new solar lights.

We bought a lot of different ones at different times, he said, but its always been solar powered. We just tried different things. Its cheap enough that you can change it up of you dont like it.

When asked how important the lawn lights were to him, he laughed.

Its more important to Jo, his wife, he said. But its nice to have.

Solar-powered lights arent just for pathways, but can be decorative and fun, like the Gemmy Outdoor Decorative Lantern at Lowes ($15), a Mason jar with a string of 20 tiny LEDs inside meant to resemble fireflies, which can be hung outside or set on a table or windowsill.

But there are some downsides.

Solar-powered lights dont provide as much light as an electric light source.

Solar power shows where a a path is, Mr. Mildenstein said. The wired ones light up the place.

And because solar-powered lights are powered by the sun, cloudy days will keep them from recharging the battery. Its also best to take them out before winter; a winter freeze is not good for the batteries.

And even then, expect to replace the solar-powered lights at least the batteries every two or three years.

The next step up are low-voltage wired LED lights, which combine the lifespan and low-energy of solar lighting but without the hassle of battery replacement or even winter storage. The system requires a transformer, LED lights, and the wiring that connects them, and can be covered by top soil or even mulch.

Its fairly simple to do, said Mike Whitmore, showroom sales lighting specialist for Gross Electric, 2807 N. Reynolds Rd.

A lot of people are afraid of electricity, but with this system its low voltage, as little as only 12 volts, he said. Just pick a location to put in the transformer thats close to the an outlet, then just attach the light to that cable. Its very easily done.

But dont get carried away with lighting up the lawn at least at the beginning, Mr. Whitmore added.

I usually tell people to start out small, dont light everything you see. Pick out focal points: trees, bushes, plants what youll probably want to light because you paid money for people to see them."

The system can also be much bigger, with flood lights in the trees and on the ground, small lights to brighten stairs and rails, underneath statues or other lawn fixtures, and along lengthy pathways.

Theres a lot of different technologies for landscape lighting, depending on what youre trying to do, he said.

Gross Electric has installed lighting systems all over the northwest Ohio, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. But the store also offers a free course a few times a year for those who want to do it themselves.

Thats why were here, he said, to help you lay out the system and all the system pieces and parts.

Contact Kirk Baird at: kbaird@theblade.comor 419-724-6734.

Read more here:
The light touch: LED bulbs, solar options can accent lawns, gardens - Toledo Blade

This press release is submitted and shown here in its original form, unedited by Furniture Today.

New York, NY, August 31, 2017 NorthCape and Libby Langdon are heading to the Chicago Casual Market with four new outdoor collections that expand the designers vision of modern outdoor living. The new designs will be displayed in a comprehensive presentation inside NorthCapes Merchandise Mart showroom (Space 16-112) featuring rugs, lighting and accessories from the designers growing constellation of brand partners.

The creative force behind New York City-based interior design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc., Libby Langdon is one of the fastest-growing home furnishings brands in the business and quickly making her mark in the outdoor category. A high-profile, media-savvy advocate for her brand partners who intimately understands the needs of retailers and designers, she wowed visitors to the Traditional Home Hampton Showhouse this summer with a show-stopping patio space reflecting her easy, elegant, everyday style.

With a fresh aesthetic powered by near-daily conversations with consumers across the country about how they want to live now, the designer, author and makeover television personality says more and more people are realizing that they can create complete, cozy and comfortable outdoor rooms in the same way they would their indoor rooms.

Indeed, The new collections for NorthCape by Libby Langdon incorporate all the design elements you would expect to see in your living room, but instead are available to furnish your outdoor space, noted retailer Alisa Jamieson, sales and customer service manager at Chicago-based LuxeDecor during the ICFA Preview Show this summer. The innovative and uniquely designed collections feature a relaxed yet tailored look that is visually pleasing and comfortable.

As interior trends moving outdoors continue to build momentum, it was obvious that we needed to find an experienced interior designer to help us come up with the right concepts, looks and functional ideas for the worlds new outdoor spaces, says Tom Murray, president, NorthCape. We had a strong history of on-target product development that helped us attract and build a great dealer base, but we also knew there were more dealers and end-users out there that we were not appealing to. Engaging Libby Langdon to attract those new dealers and excite existing dealers was a no-brainer.

Lighting up the NorthCape space will be the new licensed outdoor lighting collection, Libby Langdon for Crystorama. According to Langdon, finding chic, transitional lighting thats not too traditional or fussy, and not too modern and cold has long been a challenge. No more. Ive been looking for an outdoor lighting line that is fresh and exciting, that balances elegance and sophistication with affordability, says retailer Norman Wollach at Jacksons Home & Garden in Dallas. Libby hit the mark.

Also on view, an assortment of outdoor rugs in multiple patterns and colorways from Langdons latest licensing partnership with KAS Rugs. As Tammy Wheatley, buyer for Statuary World Patio & Fireside in Oklahoma City, reports, Its going to be great to offer outdoor rug options that have been custom designed by Libby to coordinate with our current outdoor fabrics!

At the center of it all is, of course, Libbys NorthCape furniture designs. Heres a detailed look at the collections set to be unveiled in Chicago:

The Taylor Collection

Further blurring the lines between elegant interior and exterior design, the clean-lined Taylor Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape combines upholstered Textiline all-weather material, luxe cushioning and an aluminum dark wood-look frame for the perfect balance of comfort and durability. A dynamic mix of textures and materials add dimension and versatility, from the nutmeg-colored, slubby-weave material on the outside of the upholstered chairs, sofa and loveseat, to the table tops with travertine stone-look ceramic tile with a creamy marbling detail. The transitional dining table features a dark wood-look aluminum frame and an angular base frame design with clear glass that shows off the sleek lines and shapely details of the base.

Weston Collection

Sleekly styled with angular, architecturally influenced lines, the versatile Weston Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is designed to work in a variety of settings from outdoor coastal to contemporary, depending on the cushion and colorways that dress it. With a narrow, stainless-steel silver frame wrapped in natural-look jute twine that fits in all size spaces, Weston pops against dark wood decks, is ideal for modern, light-tile patios, and is simply stunning against gray, salt-washed settings. The geometric woven resin lower shelf is highlighted with the glass-tops on the side and cocktail tables, and echoed on the fire table where a stainless steel band wrap emphasizes the mixed material theme, and generous inner-seating width and depth make for great comfort.

The Mooring

The Mooring by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is a sophisticated combination of textures and materials creating an elegant look that is tailored and transitional with exceptional durability. Mixing dual, side-by-side, dark walnut willow-weave panels with an oil-rubbed bronze aluminum frame finish feels rich and luxurious, while the high legs on the sofa, loveseat and lounge chair keep the look light and airy. Finished in the oil-rubbed bronze aluminum, the dining tables beautifully styled, classically inspired trestle is set off by a Dura-Wood smoke gray wood textured top for just the right amount of contrast. Dining chairs in both stationary and swivel options feature sleek arms for a slim profile, while comfortable and generous inner-seat cushions provide width and depth.

The Live Edge Table Collection

Inspired by the interior trend toward natural wood slab tabletops, the Live Edge Table Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is designed to work beautifully with numerous NorthCape and Libby Langdon Collections. Offered in dining, end and cocktail tables, the natural wood-look slab tabletop features a stylish, yet simple oil-rubbed base that makes the live-edge top star of the show. Like all Libby Langdon designs for NorthCape, the emphasis is on creating an eclectic mix with unique pieces that work seamlessly with many different dining chair and lounge seating styles.

For more information, please visit http://www.northcape.com .

# # #

About LIBBY LANGDON

Libby Langdon is an Interior designer, author, product designer and makeover television personality, as well as the creative force behind New York City-based design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc. She is fast becoming known for her growing collections of branded home furnishings collections for leading manufacturers including Crystorama, Bradburn Gallery, NorthCape and most recently rugs for KAS. Her interior designs and home products have been featured in leading shelter magazines: Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, and Womans Day and Langdon has been a regular design expert on NBCs TODAY Show, HGTVs Small Space, Big Style, The View, The Rachael Ray Show, The Early Show and NBCs Open House. Langdon travels across the country presenting seminars to consumers, designers and retailers about all things design.

About NORTHCAPE

From humble beginnings in the 1980s of a lone entrepreneur importing and selling wicker furniture at flea markets to the successful international company that it is today, NorthCape is an industry leader for both design and value of outdoor furniture, cushions and accessories. NorthCape offers multiple distribution points, as well as a wide range of logistical options, including direct import, cross-dock and consolidation programs. With such a plan, our company is able to keep both lead times and freight cost to a minimum. By adding two domestic sewing manufacturing facilities, as well as a comprehensive cushion and pillow program, our customers are given more options, flexibility and a greater return on investment. With the right mixture of style, comfort and value, NorthCape is proud to offer exceptional casual furniture that our customers can be proud to own.

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LIBBY LANGDON AND NORTHCAPE EXPAND VISION FOR MODERN OUTDOOR LIVING - Furniture Today

Place landscape fixtures to highlight features, create special effects, enhance safety.

Late summer is when the all of the energy and money youve invested in creating a beautiful landscape is in full bloom. The daylight hours are waning but the nights are still balmy, making this the perfect time to think about outdoor lighting that is both functional and shows off your landscape design.

Outdoor lighting extends a homes entertainment area, and is also aesthetically pleasing when viewing the yard from indoors, says Eddie Uyeta, president and CEO of Uyeta Landscape and Maintenance in Renton. Were lucky that our gardens can thrive well into November and December. Its nice to be able to enjoy those colors from your office, dining area or bedroom window even after the sun goes down.

Safety first

At a glance

Areas to consider outdoor lighting include:

When planning outdoor lighting, start with functionality which translates to safety. What areas need well-lit pathways? And, where do you want to focus light for home protection? You may want a spotlight on your home security signage to deter would-be thieves, and motion-detector lights over the garage and front door.

One of the biggest decorative questions people have is in choosing path lights, Uyeta says. There are hundreds of choices and you can get as fancy as you want to. Just make sure to choose fixtures that match the architectural design of your house.

Path lights are worth investing in because they are highly visible, sticking out of the ground 15-24 inches. You can save money on the other smaller lighting fixtures that are installed in-ground or down-lit from trees for soft ambience.

Decorative lighting

There are three basic styles of decorative lighting that an expert can combine to create the perfect evening ambience.

The best lighting is when you dont really notice its there, just the effects, Uyeta says. The ideal result is the same lighting you get with a full moon bright but not glaring. This is better though, because you cant control moonlight or clouds.

Technology is making it easier than ever to control all of your lighting requirements. A control panel on your laptop, tablet or smartphone controls everything from the time the lights switch on and off, to different levels of lighting in different areas of the yard, to colorful LED lighting options.

The beauty of LED lighting is that it uses very little electricity and its fun, Uyeta says. You can light up your backyard in green and blue for a Seahawks barbecue after the game, and then easily change back to your everyday lighting scheme.

Uyeta Landscape & Maintenancehas been family owned since 1967. Our caring and knowledgeable team has over 50 years experience combining art and science into landscape environments that leave clients and communities with a sense of pride and place.

Continued here:
Put your home and yard in the best light - Seattle Times

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) Giving your plants a head start indoors can make a big difference when you move them outside for the growing season.

If you cant wait to plant a summers worth of tasty and nutritious vegetables, maybe you dont have to. With the right equipment and attention, you can maintain a successful indoor grow room.

If youre looking to get your garden started early and doing it from inside your home, all you need to do is invest in some timers and lighting, and it doesnt have to be that expensive, Angies List founder Angie Hicks says.

Good lighting is critical. In her basement growing space, master gardener Sue Arnold uses inexpensive fluorescent lights in the warm and cool range available at big box stores.

They need to be 12 hours a day. People think, Well in my garden eight hours of sun is enough for a tomato, but indoors you need 12 hours a day. And you need a timer, thats very important, Arnold says.

Like Arnold, Derik Strenzel created his growing system for very little money by using re-purposed materials. He spends about 30 minutes a day tending to 300 varieties of vegetables, and chills out even longer.

We spend three or four hours a day in this room just hanging out, relaxing, he says. All of the animals naturally come in here, all of the time. If were home and they want to hang out somewhere thats not around us, I guarantee you theyre in here.

When the time comes to transplant outdoors, do it slowly.

Plants need to be introduced not only to the light, but to the wind, some gentle breezes would be nice. So put them in the shade for a while, deep shade, light shade, then increase the sun, Arnold says.

Angie says online is a great place to buy seeds. Variety packs of 25 different veggies start as low as $5.

See the article here:
Angie's List: Growing plants indoors for outdoor success - 41 NBC News

Most of the residents of Vardahovit community of Armenias Vayots Dzor region are refugees and families that have relocated there from different adjacent villages. Until this year, there had been no outdoor lighting infrastructure in the community.

From now on, the streets of Vardahovit will be illuminated in the evenings owing to the installation of a 1.6 km-long system of 45 LED lights. The construction of the new external illumination infrastructures became a reality in the result of the cooperation of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and VivaCell-MTS for the implementation of Alternative Energy project.

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and FPWC founder Ruben Khachatryan, head of Vardahovit community Samvel Gevorgyan and community residents attended the launching ceremony of the newly built energy-efficient system.

One of the priorities of VivaCell-MTS is supporting the development of rural communities as a precondition of resolving social and environmental problems in the country. In lots of communities of Armenia, including Vardahovit, construction of LED outdoor lighting systems due to its long term positive impact, influences the improvement of life quality of the residents and sustainable development of village communities. The joy and enthusiasm of the residents encourage us even more and prove the efficiency of the social responsibility strategy underlying the projects, said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The operation of enironmentally friendly and energy-efficient LED lights reduces energy consumption by up to 80%. Due to the installation of energy-efficient outdoor lighting systems, village communities significantly reduce their financial expenses. The economy of community resources makes the life in communities more vibrant.

Outdoor lighting will be provided from 21:00 to 00:00 in summer, and from 18:00 to 23:00 in winter. On holidays, street lighting will be provided all night long.

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Outdoor lighting system in Vardahovit community - Panorama.am

SOMERS, N.Y.--LED lights for Kennedy Catholics football field got an informal green light last week from the Somers Planning Board.

After a few tweaks to the final plans, expected by next month, the board will likely approve the lights officially at the Sept. 13 meeting, perhaps in time to play some of this seasons home games in the evening.

Along with the four light stanchions, which will permit the nighttime football games, the school will also put up a building, about 10 feet by 25 feet, to provide bathrooms and a small concession stand. A press box will sit atop the building, which will be almost 11 feet high.

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No community members spoke at the public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 9. The school, off Route 138, is surrounded by more than 60 acres of campus and the Muscoot Reservoir. As a result, its Friday Night Lights are not expected to shine through the windows of anyones home.

Fred Compton, Kennedys director of advancement, said the school had hoped to have the lights in place to start the season.

While thats not going to happen, he said, the stanchions could be up soon enough to reschedule at least some of this years games and play them under the lights.

The towns Open Space Committee had questioned the lights effect on Muscoot wildlife.

We are concerned that the location, height and size of the stanchions will significantly impact the reservoir in terms of light pollution, the committee said in a letter to the Planning Board last month.

That part of the reservoir, the letter said, includes a sensitive shoreline habitat for water birds and amphibians, all of whom may be negatively affected by artificial nighttime lighting.

Scott Douglas Allen, the projects architect, told the board that the lights would have no impact on wildlife.

The distance that we are from the edge of the shoreline is 625 feet, he said. We believe that obviously the light would probably not travel that distance.

Pressed by board member Nancy Gerbino for an assurance stronger than probably, Allen flatly declared that the light will not travel that far, except for indirect, reflected light, which will bounce off the canopy of trees and potentially other environmental areas. But there is no direct light that will be hitting the shoreline.

In addition, under a 2014 state law governing outdoor illumination, lights cannot be projected above the horizontal plane of their fixture. Kennedys LED lights, Allen said, will shine only onto the field below, not into the night sky. Thats why they call it the Dark Sky, he said, referring to the name of the regulations.

The towns Bureau of Fire Protection asked that the concession stand include a landline telephone for emergency calls.Kennedy Catholic competes in the New York areas Catholic High School Athletic Association, many of whose teams already play under the lights, so the Gaels are familiar with nighttime gridiron action. All told, the school fields teams in two dozen varsity sports.

The rest is here:
Bid by Kennedy Catholic in Somers to Field Games Under Lights Advances - TAPinto.net

As it happens, the stars have aligned between curiousKC and the historic astronomical event coming Aug. 21.

Just as our region was preparing for the full lunar eclipse, Kansas Citian Clark Johnson wondered if there is any local regulation of light pollution. Johnson asked curiousKC: Is there an ordinance for reducing light pollution?

While light pollution can come from many sources, some natural, most are human-made. Kansas City, like most built-up cities, has a sky glow, city light reflected in the night sky. The glow from our artificial light blocks from view around 46 billion light years or the approximate size of the universe.

Use the slider above tocompare the night sky visibility between downtown Kansas City and Brookfield, Missouri, about 120 miles northeast. (Photos: Ryan Hennessy | Flatland)

What we found is that Kansas City does regulate outdoor lighting that can bother neighbors. Or, as the city code puts it, the intent is to protect the public health and general welfare by controlling the adverse impacts of glare and light trespass associated with poorly shielded or inappropriately directed lighting fixtures.

The code calls for partial shielding of light in some cases, and states unequivocally that glare must be avoided by reflecting outdoor lighting away from residences and streets.

Exemptions include temporary holiday light displays.

The strongest wording from Kansas Citys zoning and development codes on outdoor lighting says, All outdoor light sources that produce more than 4,050 lumens must be at least partially shielded.

However, that amount of lumens isnt much of a restriction. The average halogen car headlights are around 800 lumens at low beam and around 1300 lumens at high beam.

Most unshielded lights waste energy and contribute to light pollution. Dark-sky advocates, those who work to reduce light pollution, would argue an example of unnecessary light escaping upward can be found in the Riverfront Heritage Trail in Berkley Park near the River Market. The trail stretches 15 miles long, and is lit by old fashioned-styled lamps that have no top shield.

Seeing stars that arent dimmed by downtowns lights doesnt happen until you are more than 30 miles from the city center, and even then, you havent gone far enough to see them all. It takes double that distance to reach an area considered a dark night sky. We used this map to find a close dark spot to Kansas City.

As for the eclipse, Carolyn Adkins, City Streetlight Maintenance Supervisor, said Kansas Citys automatic lights are on photosensors, much like automatic headlights on a car, and would most likely be activated during the dark parts of the celestial event. She noted this would keep the streets safe for pedestrians and drivers.

Thanks, Clark Johnson, foryour brightquestion.Got a question about Kansas City, the region or the people who live here? Anything youve always wondered about, found peculiar or downright confusing? Share your questions with KCPTs curiousKC

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As Far As the Eye Can See (Hint: It's Not Far) - Flatland (blog)

Micrograph showing a lymph node invaded by ductal breast carcinoma, with extension of the tumour beyond the lymph node. Credit: Nephron/Wikipedia

Women who live in areas with higher levels of outdoor light at night may be at higher risk for breast cancer than those living in areas with lower levels, according to a large long-term study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The link was stronger among women who worked night shifts.

The study will be published online August 17, 2017 in Environmental Health Perspectives.

"In our modern industrialized society, artificial lighting is nearly ubiquitous. Our results suggest that this widespread exposure to outdoor lights during nighttime hours could represent a novel risk factor for breast cancer," said lead author Peter James, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School's Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, who did the work while a research fellow in the Departments of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at Harvard Chan School.

Previous studies have suggested that exposure to light at night may lead to decreased levels of the hormone melatonin, which can disrupt circadian rhythmsour internal "clocks" that govern sleepiness and alertnessand, in turn, lead to increased breast cancer risk.

The new study, the most comprehensive to date to examine possible links between outdoor light at night and breast cancer, looked at data from nearly 110,000 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study II from 1989-2013. The researchers linked data from satellite images of Earth taken at nighttime to residential addresses for each study participant, and also considered the influence of night shift work. The study also factored in detailed information on a variety of health and socioeconomic factors among participants.

Women exposed to the highest levels of outdoor light at nightthose in the top fifthhad an estimated 14% increased risk of breast cancer during the study period, as compared with women in the bottom fifth of exposure, the researchers found. As levels of outdoor light at night increased, so did breast cancer rates.

The association between outdoor light at night and breast cancer was found only among women who were premenopausal and those who were current or past smokers. In addition, the link was stronger among women who worked night shifts, suggesting that exposure to light at night and night shift work contribute jointly to breast cancer risk, possibly through mechanisms involving circadian disruption. The authors acknowledged that further work is required to confirm the study findings and clarify potential mechanisms.

Explore further: Night shift work and breast cancer risk

More information: "Outdoor Light at Night and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Nurses' Health Study II," Peter James, Kimberly A. Bertrand, Jaime E. Hart, Eva Schernhammer, Rulla M. Tamimi, Francine Laden, Environmental Health Perspectives, August 17, 2017, DOI: 10.1289/EHP935

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Outdoor light at night linked with increased breast cancer risk in women - Medical Xpress

The first solar eclipse Fred Espenak saw was electrifying. It was March 7, 1970, and Espenak, who had just earned his drivers license, drove his familys car from Staten Island down to North Carolina. "I thought I was really prepared for the eclipse. And then the moon shadow swept over us, and we were plunged into totality," he said, referring the zone of complete darkness that occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun and fully blocks the star. "I promised myself that this could not possibly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience because it was just so beautiful, so spectacular."

Decades later, Espenak, 64, a retired NASA astrophysicist, enjoys the nickname "Mr. Eclipse," for his research on eclipse predictions and eclipse photography. A well-known figure in the universe of eclipse chasers, hes traveled all over the world to see 27 total solar eclipses no easy feat given that a total solar eclipse graces any given place in the world just once every 375 years.

Espenak's most memorable eclipse took place in India in 1995. It was a long trip there to see a short, 41-second eclipse. He was traveling with a tour group, and one woman happened to catch his eye. "I just said, 'Hmmm.' Nice hair," Espenak said. The 1995 eclipse was Patricia Totten's first, though she had been trying for more than 20 years to see one.

In the years that followed, a shared interest in eclipses and science (Totten is a former chemistry teacher) helped them stay in touch. Years later, the two began dating, and they got married in 2006.

Fred and Patricia Espenak, both retired, now live in Arizona Sky Village, an eastern Arizona village designed for astronomers who want to make observations with minimal light pollution.

"I've always wanted to live someplace where I could go out and really see the Milky Way any night," Fred Espenak said. But to get away from the light pollution that plagues so much of the U.S., the Espenaks have "abandoned civilization, so to speak," he said. The nearest grocery store is 60 miles away. Their backyard is a great expanse of desert, and the couple has seen rattlesnakes, bobcats, and coyotes pass near their home. The village even has rules around outdoor lighting at night: namely, there can't be any. There are no streetlights, headlights must be curbed, and the Espenaks' home is even outfitted with blackout curtains. All this means that if Espenak wakes up at 1 or 2 a.m. to go stargazing in the two observatories he built, he's often able to see the Milky Way and galaxies far, far away.

"I think it's wonderful to be married to somebody with a passion," said Patricia Espenak, 73. The two have turned their love for eclipses into a full-time hobby. They travel the world together, from China to Antarctica, chasing the celestial phenomena. "All my world travels, with solar eclipses, [have] given me a greater appreciation for different cultures," Fred Espenak said. "A greater acceptance to appreciate the diversity of the people on this planet."

Watch the video above to see their story.

Original post:
He Met His True Love While Chasing Eclipses. Now They Chase Them Together - TIME