- International Dark-Sky Association
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The IDA's logo
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by founders Dr. David Crawford, a professional astronomer, and Dr. Timothy Hunter, a medical doctor/amateur astronomer. The mission of the IDA is "to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting."[1] Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to be directed into your eyes and the night sky. Light that shines into your eyes is called glare and light shining into the night sky above the horizon causes sky glow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it is directed into areas that it is not wanted, i.e. neighbors yard and windows. IDA was the first organization in the dark-sky movement, and is currently the largest.
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Principal approach
IDA's principal approach is to raise awareness about the value of dark, star-filled night skies and encourage their protection and restoration through education about the problems and solutions, including outdoor lighting practices that create less light pollution. In 2011, the organization had about 5,000 members in 70 countries.
Among many concerns, IDA and related organizations are collating research on light at night's (LAN) effects on human health and ecology as a result of artificial light at night. The hypothesis is that humans have evolved over millennia exposed to roughly equal periods of light and dark. The disruption of this circadian cycle disrupts hormonal balances in all living organisms. In the last century, artificial lighting has reduced the regular period of darkness and may negatively impact health. Light at night has been linked to increased incidence of hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes and some forms of cancer.[2]
International Dark-Sky Places
To promote awareness about the issues, the IDA has an International Dark-Sky Places program, to recognize locations showing "exceptional commitment to and success in implementing the ideals of dark sky preservation and restoration."
- In October 2001, the IDA named Flagstaff, Arizona the first International Dark-Sky Community (IDSC).[3]
- In April 2007, Natural Bridges National Monument in remote southeast Utah, United States, was named the first International Dark-Sky Park (IDSP).[4]
- In September 2007, the first International Dark-Sky Reserve (IDSR) was designated in the region surrounding Mont-Mégantic National Park[5] in Quebec, Canada.
- In July 2009, Borrego Springs, California was designated the second International Dark-Sky Community in the world, and the first in California.
- On 16 November 2009, Zselic Natural Reserve[6] in Hungary and Galloway Forest Park in the United Kingdom were officially awarded as the first Dark Sky Parks in Europe.[7][8]
- In January 2011 the island of Sark, in the Channel Islands, was designated a Dark Sky Island, the first inhabited area in Europe to achieve a Dark Sky award.[9][10]
See also
- Bortle Dark-Sky Scale
- Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS)
- CieloBuio, an Italian coordination for the protection of the night sky
- Dark-sky movement
- Light pollution
- Sky brightness
References
- ^ IDA Mission & Goals
- ^ Stephen, M. Pauley (2004). "Lighting for the human circadian clock: recent research indicates that lighting has become a public health issue". Medical Hypotheses 63 (4): 588–596. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.03.020. PMID 15325001. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WN2-4CB0HP3-4&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2004&_rdoc=6&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=163661ab09920053fa2b42292f52fc72.
- ^ "Stellar ideas keep astronomy in state". Arizona Republic. November 19, 2006. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/1119ideas1119dark.html. Retrieved October 14, 2007.
- ^ Utah’s Natural Bridges National Monument Becomes First International Dark Sky Park (press release)
- ^ Parc National du Mont Mégantic
- ^ Zselic Natural Reserve
- ^ Kihirdették az új sötétégbolt-parkokat: Zselic is köztük van!
- ^ "Forest park given Dark Sky honour". BBC News. 2009-11-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8361244.stm.
- ^ article at Guardian.co.uk
- ^ article at Yahoo news.com
External links
Categories:- Organizations established in 1988
- Astronomy organizations
- Light pollution
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