Dark-sky movement

The dark-sky movement is a campaign by people who want to reduce light pollution so people can see the stars, to reduce the effects of unnatural lighting on the environment, and to cut down on energy usage.

The movement started with professional and amateur astronomers alarmed that nocturnal skyglow from urban areas was blotting out the sight of stars. For example, the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is useless for astronomy, because of daytime smog and nighttime light pollution, while world-famous Palomar Observatory is threatened.^[1]

The movement has since spread with groups like the International Dark-Sky Association, as other concerns have been raised. For example, nocturnal animals can be harmed by light pollution.

The dark-sky movement works to encourage the use of full-cutoff fixtures that cast little or no light upward in public areas and generally to encourage communities to adopt lighting regulations.

List of groups

• Campaign for Dark Skies (UK)
• CieloBuio (Italy)
• International Dark-Sky Association
• National Dark-Sky Week (US)

See also

• Scotobiology (the study of biology as affected by darkness)
• Bortle Dark-Sky Scale

References

1. ^ Caltech Astronomy Department

External links

• International Dark-Sky Association
• MyDarkSky - dark sky survey maps
• Outdoor Lighting Regulations and Ordinances on Google Earth
• Interactive map comparing U.S. dark sky laws