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#lightpollution

10 posts8 participants3 posts today
Dr. John Barentine FRAS

"In 2009, the International Astronomical Union declared that there is a universal right to starlight. The dark night sky belongs to all people – its awe-inspiring beauty is something that you don’t have to be an astronomer to appreciate."

theconversation.com/light-poll

The ConversationLight pollution is encroaching on observatories around the globe – making it harder for astronomers to study the cosmos
More from The Conversation U.S.
#Astronomy#NightSky#DarkSkies
Dr. John Barentine FRAS

“Our study focuses on County Mayo’s Dark Sky Park, a place where naturally #DarkSkies are protected and internationally recognised as a cherished form of natural #heritage. We examined the role of dark sky #tourism and #CommunityEngagement in addressing light pollution. By making some simple changes to the type of light and being a little more judicious about how it is used, the level of unnecessary light currently polluting our night skies can be reduced.”

theconversation.com/street-lam

The ConversationStreet lamps aren’t the only form of artificial light pollution – here’s how to create darker nights
More from The Conversation UK
#Europe#Ireland#LightPollution
JanPV

An official of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park slipped this morning on Radio Cymru when he said "we have a certificate for dark skies".

It's not about having a certificate.

It's about tackling light pollution.

This isn't being done.

The 'authorities' are lazy and simply want awards to stick on their web sites and attract tourism.

One event in Eryri to promote dark skies involved... a light show. I kid you not.

#astronomy#lightpollution#pollution
Angela Sabino Photography

✨ Tiny lights, big message.
These fireflies glow through the warm nights of western Portugal — a rare and magical sight that’s disappearing across the world.

Habitat loss, pesticides, and light pollution (LED lights save energy but are as strong as surgery lights, terrible for wildlife) are pushing these wonders toward extinction. Let’s protect the dark, wild places they call home. 🌿💡🚫

#Fireflies#LightPollution#PortugalNature
Dr. John Barentine FRAS

#Pittsburgh, #Pennsylvania, is replacing over 33,000 high-pressure sodium #streetlights with dimmable, 2700K white LED luminaires, which are "projected to save about $942,000 a year in energy costs while tackling #LightPollution."

Pittsburgh "plans to dim the new lights between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., which will save energy and money, and, according to the city, cause less harm to migratory birds, urban wildlife and humans."

nytimes.com/2025/07/22/climate

The New York Times · Why This Pennsylvania City Put Its Streetlights on a DimmerBy Cara Buckley
#DarkSkies#Cities#Sustainability
*
Peter

Next level lightpollutionmap.app which features:
- light pollution maps (various years)
- display dark sky locations
- weather indicator for a selected spot for astronomical observation planning
- aurora probability
- cloud cover / precipitation
- etc.

Not my development - contact the developer via
- x: x.com/lpm_app
- bluesky: lnkd.in/eud2ExqW

Light Pollution MapLight Pollution Map | Bortle Scale & Dark Sky (2025)Explore the most accurate 2025 light pollution map web app. Check Bortle Scale and SQM data, and discover dark-sky, Milky Way, and aurora spots near you.
#lightpollution#map#darksky
Dr. John Barentine FRAS

Keep an eye on data centers as a new front opening in the fight against #LightPollution in the U.S. This example is in Spalding County, Georgia:

"Commissioners and community members voiced apprehensions regarding noise, lighting, and the overall quality of life for those living near the proposed development. One commissioner emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful #environment, noting that residents are not accustomed to constant noise and bright lights. The discussion highlighted the need for careful planning to ensure that the residential areas remain protected from potential disturbances."

citizenportal.ai/articles/5397

citizenportal.aiGriffin City Council reviews data center zoning and noise reduction measuresCouncil considers protective measures for residents near proposed data center near High Falls Road.
Peter

I think this is big

Trajectories of night light exposure and risk of overweight and obesity: a 15-year longitudinal cohort study of 218,239 Chinese children

bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/

BioMed CentralTrajectories of night light exposure and risk of overweight and obesity: a 15-year longitudinal cohort study of 218,239 Chinese children - BMC MedicineBackground Light at night (LAN) is found to be associated with elevated overweight and obesity in broad population. However, evidence for the long-term LAN exposure trajectories and its influence to weight gain remained limited, especially to school-aged children who experience critical physical development. We aimed to analyze variations in body weight among children with different LAN exposure profiles, and how varying levels of LAN exposure influenced children’s overweight (including obesity) risk overt time. Methods Children who had ≥ 5 school health examinations between 2005 and 2020 in Zhongshan were recruited in this population-based longitudinal study. LAN data of each child at each survey year were modeled with group-based trajectory model and named as sharp rise (reference; 5.5%), mild rise, high stable (69.7%), and decline. Differences of overweight incidence between groups were analyzed. Results Among 218,283 children (1,318,542 measurements; 53.1% boys; baseline mean [SE] age, 9.1 [2.5]), 12,050 (5.5%) were categorized in the sharp rise group and 152,030 (69.7%) in the stable high group. In the 189,011 participants categorized as normal or underweight at baseline, the overall incidence of overweight during follow-up was 8.80/1000 person-years (95% CI: 8.69, 8.91). Compared to the sharp rise group, the hazard ratios (HR) for developing overweight were 1.67 (95% CI: 1.28, 2.18) for boys and 1.56 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.01) for girls in stable high group, followed by the mild rise group. The HRs in decline group were non-significant. Overall, the stable high trajectory of LAN exposure accounted for 40.24% (range: 22.14, 54.14) of overweight risk in boys and 36.09% (range: 17.79, 50.31) in girls, while the mild rise group contributed approximately 23% to the overall risk. Conclusions Higher LAN exposure trajectories, especially at early school age, had persistent effect to overweight and obesity risk in school-aged children. Interventions to reduce LAN exposure during school age may help reduce excessive weight gain in children.
Peter

„When millions of people turn off their lights for Earth Hour each year, something remarkable happens in the night sky above cities. New research from Hong Kong published in Scientific Reports shows that just a small number of decorative buildings and advertising boards can dramatically brighten the entire urban night sky and when they go dark, the sky becomes up to 50% darker.“

phys.org/news/2025-07-bright-e

Phys.org · A few bright buildings light up the entire night skyBy Mark Thompson
#lightpollution#skyglow#facadelighting
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