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You’ve probably heard the saying: “everything is bigger in Texas,” but that ideology is more subjective and objective. Or is it? As the second largest state (regarding the land area and population), technically, Texas is bigger than most.
The sky appears to be bigger in Texas because the state doesn’t have that many buildings, trees, or obstructions blocking the sky. It is also one of the states with less pollution. This makes the sky easier to observe.
Before we dig into why the sky appears larger in Texas, let’s talk a little about how we observe the sky and why it looks bigger in places like Texas.
Texas Sky
The Texas sky that we observe in all of its multi-colored glory is influenced by the way the sun’s light scatters throughout our atmosphere. During the day, the sun’s blazing light, which is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, shines through our atmosphere.
The sky appears blue because blue light travels faster and further than all other colors, reaching our eyes faster (even though all colors are present). This basis is the reason that dawn, dusk, and special events such as thunderstorms) bring about pink, orange, and even purple skies.
During sunrise and sunset, the sun’s light hits the earth at lower angles, which allows other colors (such as the beautiful pinks, reds, and oranges) to reach our eyes faster.
At night, when stars and constellations light up a pitch black background, that’s the true nature of the sky. They’re present when we can’t see them during the day. However, the sun’s light is too strong and overpowering for them to shine during the day. But without it, we can peer outside of our atmosphere into space.
So now that you know that the sun’s light influences how much of the true sky we see, let’s talk about why the sky looks different in different places. Specifically, we’ll cover why the sky looks so big in Texas.
Why Is the Sky Bigger in Texas?
Texas has fewer obstructions that block the view of the sky. Texas is a relatively flat state, without many tall trees and skyscrapers. This means that there’s very little to interfere with your view.
In rural Texas, the sky appears to go on for miles.
There’s also the fact that Texas has, historically, had relatively low light pollution (the amount of artificial light that can interfere with the ability to observe natural light). The International Dark Sky Association regularly ranks it as one of the best places in the United States to stargaze.
On clear nights, you can gaze up at over 2,000 visible stars.
For now, however, you can be sure that Texas will serve you big, clear skies that expand as far as the eye can see (and beyond that too).
Facts About Texas
- Land Area: 268,597 square miles.
- Zip Codes: 1903 total zip codes
- Crime rate: Texas experiences an average of 2,666 crimes per 100,000 residents.
- Best hotels: Hotel Emma, Four Seasons Resort at Club Dallas, The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa
- Best Restaurants: Himalaya, Hugo’s, Killen Steak House
- Texas is located in the Southern United States. It borders four U.S. states: New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma
- Texas is the 28th state. It’s been a part of the United States since 1845.
Texas FAQs
What Texas Known For
Texas is known for its southern hospitality, lively social and entertainment scene, and comfort food such as BBQ, chicken fried steak, and mashed potatoes.
Is Texas a Good Place to Live?
Yes. Texas is a fast-growing city that boasts a reasonable cost of living, excellent school systems, and plenty of recreational activities.
Is Texas Worth Visiting?
Yes. Texas offers a vast array of tourist attractions, natural landscapes, and delicious food – all the necessary qualities of a great vacation.
What to Do In Texas
Texas is full of fun tourist attractions, including The San Antonio RiverWalk, Natural Bridge Caverns, and The Fort Worth Zoo. You can also take advantage of its vast network of museums and public libraries. During Summer, the state spills forth with food and music festivals.
Is Texas Safe?
According to consumeraffairs.org, Texas is the 40th safest state.
References
- Light travels faster and further than all of the other colors: nasa.gov
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Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.
