Dark Sky Lighting Many communities throughout the world have begun to realize the importance of minimizing light pollution. In many communities across the planet, it is becoming exceedingly difficult to view the nighttime sky.
Prior to widespread use of electric lighting, the night sky was a stunning view with several thousand stars visible on a clear, moonless night. With the growth of electric lighting and urban sprawl, the view of the night sky gradually retreated to rural areas. Now, even the once dark skies of rural areas are threatened by urban sprawl. Within a few decades, a star-filled night sky may be a distant memory.
Outdoor lighting can be bright enough to degrade the visibility of the night sky, create glare that threatens boating and driving safety, and consume large amounts of energy. This excessive illumination is termed light pollution. States are working on “Dark Sky” initiatives to reduce light pollution by better analyzing lighting needs and encouraging use of shields to control glare and trespass.
