A couple of years ago in my sophomore year of high school, I had experienced a revelation. All of my life, I would always be caught looking up at the night sky trying to see all of the stars. However, this was always extremely difficult for me. The night sky had very few stars, but I had never known that there was so much more beyond that. I had begun researching stars, constellations, the planets, and our galaxy because I take great interest in this field.
Sophomore year I was required to take an SAT Writing prep class. The first essay assignment we were given was about something I had never heard before. It explained how when the writer was young, about 50 or so years ago, you were unable to see your hand in the nighttime; and if you looked up, you were able to see the arch of the Milky Way. As the years went by, these stars became less visible, more lights have been added to neighborhoods, and you can easily see your hand in front of you at night. The reason for this: light pollution. I had read the article and discovered that was the reason I could not see the stars, either. Being from New Jersey, I am very close to New York City, which is the reason it is so difficult for me to view the billions of stars in our galaxy. The bright lights from the city, or the sky glow (as I will later explain in more detail), causes the dark sky to become very bright. One thing on my bucket list is to view the band of the Milky Way with my own eyes. I do not want to experience it only through photographs.
Using a light pollution map, you are able to see that the heavier populated an area is, the more light pollution it will have, particularly in cities. The western coast of the United States appears to have less light pollution than the east coast. There are many places you can visit that have very little light pollution, but unfortunately, places like this are decreasing. There are many ways that light pollution affects us humans and the environment. This blog will help you better understand what light pollution is, how it affects life, and ways to decrease it. In the next couple of weeks, I will describe specific instances in which light pollution is damaging life. This is a topic I have been passionate about since I first read about it and I hope that my readers will find this issue to be as concerning as I do and help seek change.
Firstly, I want my readers to know what light pollution actually is. There are three main types: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Glare is the excessive use of artificial light that causes eye discomfort and distorted vision. This generally comes from smart phones, laptops, and televisions. This type of light pollution is very harsh on the eyes and can cause significant damage. Light trespass is when light falls where it is unintended or not needed. Sometimes it is also unwanted light that comes onto someone’s property. A good example is when a neighbor’s light or a street light comes into the window of someone who is trying to sleep. Lastly, there is also skyglow, which is the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas. It is mostly made up of reflected and upward-facing light. These lights escape into the sky and literally create a glow. This is of most concern to astronomers because it hurts their research of celestial objects; it is what causes the disappearance of the Milky Way.
Light pollution is caused by industrial civilization and can include anything from exterior and interior lights, buildings, factories, advertisements and billboards, streetlights, and illuminated sports venues. It has become an international issue. According to the International Dark Sky Association, 80 percent of the world’s population lives under skyglow, and 99 percent of Europe and the United States are unable to experience a natural night. I am especially saddened by this because I would love to be able to look up at the sky back home and experience the beauty of the night sky. However, I truly wonder if I will ever be able to live to see it.
www.lightpollutionmap.info/
www.darksky.org/light-pollution/