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The state of Arizona's astronomy and planetary and space sciences research cluster is world-class, yet few Arizonans probably realize how valuable it is in terms of economic impact and international prestige.

Truth be told, this research cluster is taken for granted. That has to end.

All Arizonans, particularly legislative leaders and members of Congress, need to realize there is a jewel in our midst. The state should not only protect this research and business cluster, but find ways to nurture and invest in it so that it grows.

Arizona can protect this sector by making sure that communities don't pollute the night sky with ambient light. Our idea is for the Legislature to update and strengthen its dark-skies law so that all Arizona communities are abiding by the same rules and all are equally effective in reducing light pollution.

Arizona has a dark-skies law on the books (ARS 49-1102), but the law is weak because it doesn't apply to street lights, nor does it affect newer technologies, such as LED signs that more businesses employ. Cities like Tucson and Flagstaff have ordinances tougher than the state law.

Arizona has much to lose if it doesn't control light pollution.

According to a recent study by the Arizona Arts, Sciences and Technology Academy, a nonprofit group that promotes the arts and sciences, astronomy and space-related research had an economic impact of $252.8 million in 2006. That's almost the same impact as a Super Bowl.

According to the Arizona Super Bowl Web site, the game that was played earlier this month was expected to generate at least $300 million for the Phoenix area.

"This is a $250 million enterprise that happens very year," Patrick J. Burkhart, the academy's president, told the Star's editorial board. "We've got the high-producing tortoise here and everyone is excited about the once-every-decade hare" — the Super Bowl.

For an example of Arizona's leadership in astronomy and space sciences, one only has to look at NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission. The University of Arizona won the rights to run the Phoenix mission, and the research team it beat out was just two hours away at Arizona State.

The economic impact of the Phoenix mission will be a boost for the state. The project has a total cost of about $400 million, of which $50 million to $60 million will be spent in Arizona, said Michael Drake, director of the UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

The academy's study called for the state to take measures to reduce light pollution. It also suggested that state leaders and members of Congress look for ways to invest in astronomy and space sciences and foster relationships between universities and private companies such as Raytheon. We believe all of the recommendations are worthwhile and should be explored. However, most of them are long-term in nature.

Conversely, updating the state law on lighting is something that can be done fairly quickly.

Enhancing the lighting law could better position the state to get new observatories in the future. Burkhart said that if Arizona doesn't do more to limit light pollution, organizations looking to build new observatories might consider going elsewhere.

There are many steps Arizona can take to protect its astronomy and space-related industry. Among the easiest is strengthening its dark-skies statute. It would be a simple, effective way to protect one of the state's most vital economic sectors.

Direct your comments on today's idea to ideaforum@ azstarnet.com or letters@ azstarnet.com with "Idea Forum" in the subject line. Please limit your letter to 150 words. Include your full name, occupation, phone number and address. We use the phone number and address for verification only; they won't be published. You can also mail a response to P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726-6807.

We'll need to receive your comments by Thursday morning. We will publish some responses next Saturday.