Light pollution has long tried astronomers, who generally The natural light from a bright moon floods the sky and hiddes views of the milky way, dim galaxies and nebula, and shooting stars. In recent years, Human-Made Light Pollution Has Dramatically Surpassed The Interference of even a bright full moon, and its effects are not noticable to a great many people. Harsh, Bright White Led Streetlights, While often More Efficient and Long-Lasting, often Create Unexpected Problems for Communities Replacing their Old Street Lamps. Some Notable Concerns are Increased Glare and Light Trespass, Less Restful Sleep, and Disturbed Nocturnal Wildlife Patterns. There is increasing awareness of just how much light is too much light at night. You don't need to give in to despair over encroaching light pollution; You can join efforts to measure it, EDUCATE OTHERS, and Even Help Stop or Reduce the Effects of Light Pollution in Your Community.
Amateur Astronomers and Potential Citizen Scientists Around the Globe are invited to participate in the Globe at Night (GAN) Program to Measure Light Pollution. Measurements are taken by Volunteers on a more Scheduled Days Every month and submitted to their database to help create a comprehensive map of light pollution and its changes changing Over time. Gan Volunteers can take and submit measurements using multiple methods ranging from low-tech naked -ri observations to high-tech sensors and smartphone apps.
Globe at Night Citizen Scientists can use the following methods to measure light pollution and submit their results:
- Their own smartphone camera and dedicated app
- Manually measure light pollution using their own eyes and detailed charts of the constellations
- A dedicated light pollution measurement device called a sky quality meter (SQM).
- The free gan web app from any internet-connected device (which can also be used to submit their measurements from an SQM or Printed-out Star Charts)
Night Sky Network Members Joined A Telecon with Connie Walker of Globe at Night in 2014 and Had a lively discussion about the program's history and how they can also. The audio of the telecon, transcript, and links to additional resources can be found on their Dedicated Resource Page,
Darksky International Has long been a champion in the fight against light pollution and a proponent of smart lighting design and policy. Their website (at Darksky.org) Provides Many Resources for Amateur Astronomers and Other Like-Minded People to Help Communities Understand The Negative Impacts of Light Pollution and How Smart Lighting Policies can not get on Ight skies but makes their streets safer by using smarter lighting with Less glare. Communities and individuals find that their nighttime lighting choice Ectors, timers, and even choosing the proper “temperature” of new LED light replacements to avoid the harsh “pure white” glare that many new streetlamps possesses. Their pages on Community Advocacy and on How to Choose Dark-Sky-Friendly Lighting Are extramely helpful and full of great information. There are even Local chapters of the ida In many communities made up of passionate advocates of dark skies.
Darksky International Has Notable Helped Usher in “Dark Sky Places“, Areas Around the World That Are Protected From Light Pollution. ,Dark Sky Parks“, In particular, provide visitors with incredible views of the Milky way and are perfect places to spenders of a meteor shower. These parks also perform a very important function, showing the public the wonders of a truly dark sky to many people who may have brought even life Ad of the milky way.
More research into the negative effects of light pollution on the health of humans and the environment Is being conducted than ever before. Watching the nighttime light Slowly Increase in Your Neighborhood, Combined with Reading So Much Bad News, Can indeed be disheartening! However, as awareness of light pollution and its negative effects increases, more people are deteround aware of the problem and want to be part of the solution. There is even an episode of PBS Kid's Scigirls Where the main characters Help Mitigate Light Pollution in Their Neighborhood!
Astronomy Clubs Are Uniquely Situated to Help Spread Awareness of Good Lighting Practices in their Local Communities in Order to Help Mitigate Light Pollution. Take inspiration from Tucson, ArizonaAnd Other Dark Sky-friendly Communities That has adopted good lighting practices. Tucson even Reduced Its Skyglow by 7% after its Citywide lighting conversionProof that Communities Can Bring The Stars Back With Smart Lighting Choices.
Originally posted by Dave Prosper: November 2018
Last updated by kat troche: January 2025
