Light Pollution

Light Pollution is the excessive and inappropriate use of outdoor light at night that has serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate. Sources include things like residential and commercial interior and exterior lighting, advertising, and streetlights.

These types of outdoor lights are often inefficient, meaning they are brighter than needed, poorly targeted, and improperly shielded. At times, they are also completely unnecessary. This inappropriate use of outdoor light at night leads to an increase in sky brightness.

This means most of us, including plants and animals, no longer experience truly dark nights, and artificial light at night overpowers the darkness. This disrupts the natural day-night pattern, shifting the delicate balance of our environment.

Astrophotography from the City vs Dark Sky

Astrophotography from the City vs Dark Sky

If you are like me, you spend most of your time photographing deep-sky objects from your backyard. While I love a good dark sky trip, the backyard is where the majority of my astrophotography projects take place. The backyard is a convenient option for an impulsive night of astrophotography, but what are we missing out…

UN to Address Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomy

UN to Address Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomy

After rejection a year ago, the Scientific and Technical subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has agreed to add the issue of satellite constellations as an agenda item for further discussion. It will be addressed as ‘Dark and Quiet Skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues…

Light Pollution is Ruining Our Night Sky

Light Pollution is Ruining Our Night Sky

Have you ever looked at a brightly lit building or street light in your neighborhood and thought it was excessive? You know, light shining in all directions or perhaps in your bedroom window, rather than only lighting up the intended area. That is light pollution.  Light pollution is misdirected excess/obtrusive outdoor artificial light in a…