Effects of light pollution

Into the blue: Understanding marine light pollution

Light Pollution

Artificial light at night (ALAN) has long been studied for its impacts on humans and wildlife on land…

June 6, 2025

Monarchs on the move: Why dark skies matter

Light Pollution

Few sights in nature rival the breathtaking spectacle of monarch butterflies, their vibrant orange wings fluttering gracefully across continents …

March 31, 2025

Building dark sky connections with Michelle Wooten

Light Pollution

When you first enter the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, most people’s attention is drawn to the elephant …

March 12, 2025

Exploring “Lights Out”: The Smithsonian’s special exhibit on reclaiming the night

Astronomy

When you first enter the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, most people’s attention is drawn to the elephant …

January 17, 2025

Reflecting on Under One Sky 2024: A global gathering to protect the night

Astronomy

Under One Sky 2024 was our largest and most impactful global conference to date!

November 21, 2024

Darkness for Well-Being

About

If you’ve ever stood under the stars and taken a deep breath, you might have noticed the therapeutic effects …

August 23, 2024

Zen and the Stars with Mark Westmoquette

About

Astronomer, Zen Buddhist, author, and mindfulness teacher Mark Westmoquette shares how connecting with the night aids in well-being. Tell …

July 8, 2024

From the beach to the seafloor, light pollution interferes with marine life

Effects of light pollution

For World Oceans Day (June 8, 2024), we’d like to discuss the growing threat of light pollution to marine …

June 8, 2024

Effects of light pollution

Resources

Light pollution negatively affects…

October 13, 2023

What is light pollution?

Resources

Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. When we over-light, fail to …

October 4, 2024

Natural darkness and human well-being

Light Pollution

With the rise of artificial light at night, our natural rhythms are being disrupted—while more research is needed, these …

November 17, 2025

Light pollution reduces our night sky heritage

Effects of light pollution

The nighttime environment is a precious natural resource for all life on Earth, but the glow of uncontrolled outdoor …

October 17, 2023