Light pollution is defined as “unwanted or excessive artificial light” caused by man-made sources such as street lights. Light pollution has a negative impact on wildlife and humans, adversely influences natural cycles, and inhibits our ability to see the stars and planets in the night skies.*

The Dark-Sky movement is a global campaign focused on educating the public about this form of pollution. Each year, dark-sky advocates coordinate events and campaigns to emphasize the importance of reducing light pollution, and the benefits such actions will have for both people and planet.

For example, International DarkSky Week event is an annual event that calls the world to celebrate the dark and natural night. This year, DarkSky Week is April 2 – 8, 2024, which is the week of the new moon and therefore the time of year when the night skies are darkest. To learn how you can celebrate International DarkSky Week, visit darksky.org.

DarkSky International encourages the reduction of light pollution by calling on residents, business owners, and government agencies to consider the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting: useful, targeted, low-level, controlled, and warm-colored. These practices focus on limiting light to only the areas needed, and encourage the utilization of shields, timers, and colors to control output. Visit their website to review these principles in further detail.

Dark Sky Resources

DarkSky International – www.darksky.org

Lights Out! Connecticut – www.lightsoutct.org

National Park Services - Night Skies (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

*Information Sources:

Light pollution | Definition, Causes, & Facts | Britannica

Light Pollution (nationalgeographic.org)