Starry, Starry Night
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The week of the new moon in April is National Dark Sky Week, a movement started by Virginia teenager Jennifer Barlow in 2003. Last year, IYA2009 endorsed National Dark Sky Week and pushed it global, to be International Dark Sky Week.
This grass-roots movement highlights the effects of light pollution not only on our health, but the impact to the environment as a whole. It also attempts to bring back the full, gorgeous spread of the night sky to all observers.
How many of us can walk outside our front door at night and see this:
Perseid Meteor Shower 08/12/07, Image by WikiPedia User Mila
I lived in a small town growing up, and I can remember seeing the full spread of the night sky. Now, this feels like a lost heritage.
Orion, seen from dark skies (left) and from Orem, UT. Image: Jeremy Stanly 01/09
Looking at this comparison, you can see what a difference it makes.
There are alternatives to having an area illuminated so much as to cause light pollution. One is a type of light that is designed to not shed light upwards and to the side. This site explains lighting regulations some areas are placing in an attempt to regain their starry night skies. It saves energy, too.
I know our cities are illuminated to protect life and property. In fact, I agree with it on that basis. I wouldn’t want to live in a city that completely blacked-out at night; you just have to see what happens during a power outage to know that’s not an answer. I do think we can find a middle-ground (like regulated lighting) where we preserve our safety and can still have our starry, starry nights.
I used to live in the NW corner of Montana and let me tell you, the night sky was amazing…I even got to see the Northern Lights one winter night…just breathtaking!!!
Years ago, my dad would point out the constellations and I vividly remembering how bright the Milky Way was, very much like the photos here.
That said, for those participating in the Globe @ Night and for those maybe too busy or timid to try it, the GAN banner to the right goes to the map of the observations for 2010 and previous years. Have a look and if you didn’t participate you can still see how you compare.
I remember dark night skies like that when I was a kid, but now with urban sprawl, that is a thing of the past. When my children your very young we did get to lay out on a blanket and observe the Persied Meteor shower (I think it was suppose to be closest in recent history that year) and we seen many an hour. But now, many businesses have moved into the area and then we were annexed into the city limits (which meant more street lights in our area) and our night sky is definitely polluted.
Long gone are the days of such beautiful night skies and that’s a sad thing to me
Great post! I often complain about light pollution and people don’t even know what I’m talking about.
Well, as I’ve complained before, astronomy here in Cincy is a theoretical practice. It makes going up to the UP of Michigan all the more special. Or the Bahamas, my wife and I have a small disagreement on this.
Montana isn’t known as the “Big Sky Country” for nothing! I agree; it’s unbelievably beautiful there. Of course, I’m partial to Northern, mountainous states myself…
…*cough cough* COLORADO!
Many people don’t view light pollution as an issue. Personally, I miss looking up in the night and being so gobsmacked I forget to breathe.
i live about 5 hours east of Orem, in Grand Junction, Co. My home is on top of a knoll, outside of the city. I get beautiful skies each clear night. I am a lucky guy.
Chuck – And doesn’t Colorado have a lot of clear nights? I always lived in the Springs, but I sure wouldn’t have minded living in Grand Junction. You’re right; you are lucky.
The North East Kingdom Of Vermont still has good clear nights for viewing stars, as long as you are in the more rural areas.
I remember a time (Late 70s, early 80s) Venus was so bright I could see it in Newport, on main street with all the street lights on, but nothing else.
Someone said something about Northern Lights. I have been treated to a few wild and wonderful displays. \\//_
Mark – That was Carrie talking about the gorgeous night skies of Montana. I’ve never had the fortune to visit Vermont, but it’s on my list!