Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by artificial light sources such as street lights, headlights, and security lights. Light pollution can have negative effects on both humans and animals, disrupting our natural sleep patterns and confusing nocturnal animals. To see a night sky without light pollution, one must find a dark location away from cities and artificial light sources. There are many places around the world that are certified as Dark Sky locations, which offer amazing views of the night sky. These locations include communities, parks, and protected areas that implement responsible lighting policies and public education to reduce light pollution. Additionally, factors such as cloud cover, moon phase, time of year, and elevation can also impact the visibility of the night sky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Light pollution types | Skyglow, Glare, Light trespass, Clutter |
| Light pollution sources | Streetlights, Greenhouses, Satellites |
| Negative effects of light pollution | Disrupting ecosystems, Affecting human health (sleep patterns, circadian rhythms) |
| Light pollution measurement | Bortle Scale (Class 1-9) |
| Ways to see the night sky without light pollution | Visit Dark Sky certified Parks, Reserves or Sanctuaries, Find a dark, remote location away from cities and artificial light sources, Check weather forecast to ensure minimal cloud cover, Go out during a New Moon or when the Moon is below the horizon |
| Best time to see the Milky Way | Late night to early morning (typically 22:00 to 4:00) |
| Best places to see the Milky Way | Higher elevations, Great Basin region, Dark Sky communities, parks, and protected areas |
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What You'll Learn
Visit a Dark Sky certified location
One of the best ways to see the night sky in all its glory is to visit a Dark Sky certified location. These locations are recognised by DarkSky International, the world's leading authority on light pollution, and are protected from light pollution, allowing for a spectacular view of the stars.
Dark Sky certification is given to communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. This includes national parks, observatories, villages, cities, and even lodging and overnight accommodations. There are now over 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies across 22 countries on 6 continents, with more locations being added each year.
Some examples of Dark Sky certified locations include:
- Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand
- Arches National Park in Utah, USA
- Great Basin National Park in Nevada, USA
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah, USA
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, USA
- El Morro National Monument in New Mexico, USA
- Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA
By visiting one of these locations, you can be sure to have a magical stargazing experience, free from light pollution. So, if you're looking for a place to see the night sky in its full beauty, consider planning a trip to one of these Dark Sky certified locations.
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Avoid skyglow, glare, light trespass and clutter
Light pollution, also known as skyglow, is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has several negative impacts on human health, wildlife, the environment, and energy consumption.
Avoid skyglow
To avoid skyglow, it is important to reduce the use of artificial light, especially unnecessary indoor lighting in empty buildings at night. Switching to LED lighting allows for reduced illuminance without compromising visibility. It is also recommended to avoid using blue lights at night as they worsen skyglow due to their larger geographic reach and negative impact on human vision.
Avoid glare
Glare is caused by light shining directly from the source into the eye, reducing visibility. To prevent glare, it is important to shield the light source by using proper fixtures, installing them correctly, and designing the lighting system to minimize light trespass.
Avoid light trespass
Light trespass occurs when light from one property shines onto another, causing confusion and unsafe glare. To prevent light trespass, ensure that your outdoor lighting is properly designed, installed, and aimed so that the light does not spill beyond your property line.
Avoid clutter
Clutter refers to excessive amounts of artificial light in cities or towns, which can cause confusion, unsafe glare, and a reduction in visibility. To avoid contributing to light clutter, it is important to use proper shielding and aiming of light fixtures, ensure the right lighting design, and minimize the use of artificial light when possible.
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Check the weather forecast for minimal cloud cover
To get the best view of the night sky, it's important to check the weather forecast for minimal cloud cover. While light pollution from artificial sources can obscure your view of the stars, clouds can also get in the way.
The sky needs to be clear of clouds to get a good view of the night sky. Checking the weather forecast in advance will help you plan your stargazing for a night with minimal or no cloud cover. While a bright moon can obscure the Milky Way, a new moon or a moon that is below the horizon can provide ideal viewing conditions. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way is best seen from late spring to early autumn (around April to October), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it can be seen from February to October, with the core at its brightest in June and July.
In addition to checking the lunar cycle and the time of year, it's worth considering the time of night. The Milky Way is typically best viewed from late at night to early in the morning, usually from 10 pm to 4 am. The exact time can vary depending on the time of year, and higher elevations often offer clearer skies and less atmospheric interference, making the Milky Way more visible.
By planning your stargazing session around these factors, you can maximise your chances of a clear view of the night sky.
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Use the Bortle Scale to measure light pollution
The Bortle Scale is a standard way to measure how dark the night sky is at a given location. It was designed by John Bortle and first published in the astronomy magazine 'Sky and Telescope' in 2001. The scale is especially useful for amateur astronomers to assess the darkness of the sky and the visibility of the Milky Way and other astronomical objects.
The Bortle Scale ranges from Class 1 (pitch black) to Class 9 (heavily light-polluted). Class 1 skies are the darkest on Earth, and very few people live in such locations. In Europe, the best one can hope for is to be within a three-hour drive of a Bortle Scale 3 location. As urbanisation increases, more people are living in Bortle Scale 8 and 9 locations. For example, in England, the area around Manchester City Centre is Bortle Scale 9.
The Bortle Scale is closely related to the Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM), which represents the faintest star(s) that the naked eye can see in the conditions being measured. The Bortle Scale, however, provides a more standardised way to measure sky darkness, as NELM depends too much on a person's visual acuity and the time and effort spent trying to see the faintest stars.
There are several ways to measure light pollution and determine your Bortle class. You can use a sky quality meter (SQM) to get precise numerical measurements of night sky brightness, which can then be converted to Bortle classes. Alternatively, you can use online resources such as light pollution maps, which provide approximate readings for any location on Earth. There are also smartphone apps, such as Clear Outside by FLO, which use your GPS location to present an accurate reading of where your night sky lands on the Bortle Scale.
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Support Dark Sky initiatives to reduce light pollution
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on streetlights, greenhouses, satellites, and more. It also disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, wastes money and energy, contributes to climate change, and blocks our view of the universe.
To combat this, Dark Sky initiatives have been established worldwide to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution. Dark Sky International, for instance, is a leading organization in this movement, offering various ways to get involved and support their mission.
One way to support Dark Sky initiatives is to become a monthly member, known as a Nighthawk. Your contribution will help fund their advocacy, education, and certification efforts to combat light pollution. You can also make one-time donations to support their strategic initiatives.
Another way to get involved is to find volunteer opportunities with Dark Sky International or other local organizations dedicated to reducing light pollution. These organizations often partner with universities, community groups, and businesses to accomplish their goals, so reaching out to these groups in your area may also be a good starting point.
Additionally, you can support Dark Sky initiatives by choosing responsible lighting for your outdoor projects. Dark Sky International provides guidance and even certifies lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution. They also work with communities to establish codes and statutes that promote the use of quality outdoor lighting to minimize light pollution.
By supporting Dark Sky initiatives, you can help restore the natural beauty of the night sky and protect the environment, wildlife, and human health from the harmful effects of light pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution refers to the obtrusive effects of excessive artificial lighting. It can take several forms, including skyglow, glare, light trespass, and clutter. Light pollution can disrupt ecosystems, affect human health, and block our view of the stars at night.
To find a place with minimal light pollution, look for dark, remote locations away from cities and artificial light sources. You can also refer to the Bortle Scale, which measures the brightness of the night sky and how well the stars can be seen, to find locations with low light pollution. Additionally, seek out International Dark Sky Places, which are communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
Check the weather forecast to ensure a night with minimal or no cloud cover. Avoid nights with a bright Moon, as it can obscure the Milky Way. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way is best viewed from late spring to early autumn, typically from late night to early morning. Elevate yourself to higher locations for clearer skies and less atmospheric interference.
