Meghan Hodges
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by artificial lighting systems such as street lights and headlights. Light pollution can take several forms, including skyglow, glare, light trespass, and clutter. Not only does light pollution disrupt ecosystems and human health, but it also obscures our view of the night sky, making it difficult to see stars and other celestial objects like the Milky Way. To see the night sky without light pollution, one must find a dark, remote location away from cities and artificial light sources. There are also many Dark Sky certified Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries that offer amazing views of the night sky. Additionally, the Bortle Scale can be used to measure the darkness of the night sky and help determine how much light pollution affects visibility.
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What You'll Learn
Visit a Dark Sky certified location
To see the night sky in all its glory, free from light pollution, one of the best things you can do is visit a Dark Sky certified location. These locations are recognised for their exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environments. Dark Sky International certifies communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. There are now over 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents.
There are various types of Dark Sky Places, including Dark Sky Communities, Urban Night Sky Places, and Dark Sky Reserves. Dark Sky Communities are bridging the gap between cities and protected areas, recognising sites that are near or surrounded by large urban areas, and whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of artificial light. Urban Night Sky Places are those that promote an authentic nighttime experience despite being in the midst of significant artificial light. Dark Sky Reserves are publicly or privately owned conservation areas that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs.
Some examples of Dark Sky Places include:
- Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern California, USA
- Arches National Park in Utah, USA
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, USA
- Great Basin National Park in Nevada, USA
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument in northern Utah, USA
- Saguaro National Park in Arizona, USA
- El Morro National Monument in New Mexico, USA
- Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada
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Avoid skyglow from populated areas
Light pollution refers to the obtrusive effects of excessive artificial lighting, usually from outdoor lighting such as street lights. One of the negative effects of light pollution is skyglow, which is the brightening of the night sky over populated areas. This is caused by the scattering of artificial light by atmospheric particles and moisture, making it difficult to see stars and other celestial objects.
To avoid skyglow from populated areas, it is best to find a dark, remote location away from cities and artificial light sources. There are several places around the world that offer pristine, dark skies, free from light pollution. These include:
- Dark Sky certified Parks, Reserves, or Sanctuaries: These are places that are certified "Dark Sky" due to their low light pollution and provide amazing views of the night sky.
- International Dark Sky Places: This program certifies communities, parks, and protected areas that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. These sites can be found all over the world and offer a range of natural beauty features to explore.
- Remote locations: The most remote places in the world often have the darkest skies. These areas are typically far from cities and towns and are surrounded by nature, providing an excellent opportunity to view the night sky without light pollution.
- High elevations: Higher elevations often have clearer skies and less atmospheric interference, making them ideal for stargazing and avoiding light pollution.
By seeking out these locations, one can significantly reduce the effects of skyglow and light pollution, providing a clearer view of the night sky and its celestial wonders.
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Avoid glare from street lights
Light pollution can be a real buzzkill when you're trying to stargaze. It's the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors, which can take several forms, including glare, light trespass, and skyglow.
Glare is the bright and uncomfortable light shining directly at you, which interferes with your vision. This often occurs due to poorly designed street lights or headlights.
- Choose a strategic location: Move away from cities or towns, as light pollution is more prevalent in urban areas due to streetlights, car headlights, and building lights. Try finding a dark sky location, a place with minimal artificial light, allowing you to see the stars clearly.
- Time it right: Stargaze late at night or early in the morning when fewer streetlights and house lights are on. Additionally, opt for moonless nights to reduce the overall brightness in the sky.
- Use natural obstructions: Position yourself so that trees or walls block the direct light from street lamps.
- Look straight up: Objects higher in the sky are clearer since there's less atmospheric interference.
- Use the right equipment: Employ a telescope, binoculars, or a light pollution filter to enhance your viewing experience, even in the presence of some light pollution.
- Check the weather: Avoid cloudy nights as clouds reflect light downward, increasing the scattering of light and making the night sky brighter.
By following these tips, you'll be able to minimise the impact of glare from street lights and improve your chances of enjoying a breathtaking view of the night sky.
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Avoid light trespass from artificial light
Light trespass is a common issue in urban areas, where unwanted artificial light enters a property from adjacent properties. This can be in the form of glare from street lamps, parking lot lights, exterior lights, or neon signs.
To avoid light trespass, it is important to use proper shielding and fixtures that minimize glare and light trespass. Here are some ways to avoid light trespass from artificial light:
- Use shielded lighting fixtures: Install fully shielded light fixtures that prevent light from escaping upwards into the sky and reduce sky glow. These fixtures stop light from travelling above the horizontal plane, reducing light pollution.
- Minimize indoor lighting: Turn off unnecessary indoor lighting, especially in empty buildings at night. This prevents interior light from leaking into the night sky and contributing to light trespass.
- Choose the right lighting: Switch to LED lighting, which allows for reduced illuminance without compromising visibility. Avoid blue-rich white light sources, as they worsen sky glow and increase glare, affecting human vision and road safety.
- Direct light downwards: Ensure that lighting is directed downwards, where it is needed, instead of shining outward and upward into the sky. Proper lighting design can help minimize light trespass and reduce the impact on the night sky.
- Use light-efficient fixtures: Opt for light-efficient fixtures that prevent light from being wasted outside the intended space. This reduces light trespass and minimizes the negative impact on the environment and wildlife.
- Avoid over-illumination: Refrain from using excessive lighting where it is not needed. This not only contributes to light trespass but also wastes energy and resources, impacting the environment and your wallet.
By implementing these measures, you can help reduce light trespass and minimize the negative effects of artificial light on the night sky and the surrounding environment.
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Check the weather forecast for minimal cloud cover
To see the night sky in all its glory, it's important to check the weather forecast for minimal cloud cover. This is because clouds can obscure your view of the stars and other celestial objects. While a bright moon can also obscure the view of the Milky Way, a full moon can beautifully light up the foreground of your scene, reducing the effects of light pollution.
To increase your chances of a clear view, check the weather forecast for the night you plan to stargaze. Aim for a night with minimal or no cloud cover, and if possible, time your stargazing session for when the moon is new or below the horizon. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way is best seen from late spring to early autumn (approximately April to October), while in the Southern Hemisphere, you can catch a glimpse from February to October, with the core at its brightest in June and July.
The Milky Way is typically best viewed from late at night to the early morning, usually from 10 pm to 4 am. The exact time can vary depending on the time of year. Additionally, higher elevations often offer clearer skies and less atmospheric interference, making the Milky Way more visible.
By checking the weather forecast and planning your stargazing session accordingly, you can maximise your chances of experiencing a breathtaking view of the night sky, free from the obscuring effects of clouds and light pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
You can visit places certified as "Dark Sky" communities, parks, and protected areas. These places are certified by organizations such as Dark Sky International and have policies in place to reduce light pollution and protect dark sites. Some examples include remote areas in Kansas, Montana, Utah, and the desert Southwest/Great Basin region in the US.
The Bortle Scale is a tool used to measure the darkness of the night sky and the amount of light pollution. It ranges from Class 1, indicating pristine, dark skies, to Class 9, representing inner-city skies with significant light pollution. You can use this scale to find locations with minimal light pollution.
Light pollution has various negative impacts on both humans and the environment. It disrupts the natural rhythms and sleep patterns of humans and animals, confuses nocturnal animals, and affects the behavior of plants. Additionally, it obscures our view of the night sky, making it difficult to observe celestial objects and events.
The best time to view the night sky is during a new moon or when the moon is below the horizon, as the moonlight can obscure the view of the Milky Way. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way is best observed from late spring to early autumn, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is visible from February to October. The ideal viewing hours are typically from 10 pm to 4 am.
