light pollution – DarkSky International

A driving source of light pollution: How car headlights are reshaping the nighttime environment

Drew Reagan — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:56:53 +0000

If you have found yourself squinting more often at the bright, blue glare of oncoming traffic in recent years, you are not imagining it. And you are not alone. Car headlights have been getting brighter, a shift many drivers experience firsthand and one that has become a growing public concern. The American Automobile Association (AAA) …

Source

More than just streaks: 5 truths from the astrophotographers documenting our crowded skies

Ruskin Hartley — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

A 2025 global survey revealed widespread satellite interference in astrophotography, with 90% of respondents reporting moderate or worse impacts and 97.5% stating that conditions have significantly worsened over the past five years. This interference carries a substantial burden, costing an average of 27 extra minutes of editing per image, and 78% of participants believe a …

Source

2025: United for the night – A year of worldwide progress

Drew Reagan — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:32:55 +0000

2025 has truly been a year written in the stars, marking another meaningful chapter of growth not just for DarkSky International, but for the entire global dark sky movement we are proud to be part of. We would like to take a moment to reflect on this extraordinary year, made possible by you, our community …

Source

Announcing the 2025 DarkSky Award winners

Natasha Chortos — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:20:29 +0000

Thank you to all the award winners and nominees for your continued hard work and dedication to the dark sky movement!

Source

Two sports complexes in Apache Junction, Arizona receive DarkSky Approved designation

Natasha Chortos — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:27:01 +0000

Apache Junction, Arizona, United States Both Prospector Park and Superstition Shadows Park were recently recognized by DarkSky International for their dedication to reducing light pollution. As part of the DarkSky Approved Outdoor Sports Lighting program, the facilities have significantly improved their lighting systems. By following DarkSky’s Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night, all seven …

Source

New DarkSky Approved pickleball complex shines sustainably in Champaign, Illinois

Natasha Chortos — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:54:16 +0000

Champaign, Illinois, USA DarkSky International is proud to announce a newly certified DarkSky Approved Outdoor Sports Lighting project in Champaign, Illinois. The Centennial Park Pickleball Complex, operated by the Champaign Park District, completed a sustainable lighting upgrade in February 2025 and is now the second outdoor sports court in Illinois to receive this important certification. …

Source

International Dark Sky Places Program Advocacy 2024

Natasha Chortos — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:17:10 +0000

A review of the 2024 annual reports Across the world, certified International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) serve as shining examples of how communities and protected areas can safeguard our natural night sky. By raising awareness about the importance of dark skies and promoting responsible lighting, each Place demonstrates what thoughtful environmental stewardship can accomplish. Every …

Source

HUB Sports Center serving Washington–Idaho communities earns DarkSky Approved certification

Drew Reagan — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Liberty Lake, Washington, USA HUB Sports Center’s newly completed Fields Complex has officially earned DarkSky Approved status through DarkSky International’s Outdoor Sports Lighting Program. This milestone makes HUB the first DarkSky Approved outdoor sports lighting facility in Eastern Washington, and only the second in the entire state. HUB Sports Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving …

Source

Into the blue: Understanding marine light pollution

Megan Eaves — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:47:33 +0000

Most of us think of light pollution as a problem affecting the skies above our cities. But what about the light that spills into our oceans? Artificial light at night (ALAN) has long been studied for its impacts on humans and wildlife on land. Increasingly, scientists are also turning their attention to how it affects …

Source

DarkSky and the National Audubon Society promote Lights Out for the birds

Drew Reagan — Thu, 08 May 2025 18:47:07 +0000

Migratory birds depend on the night. Twice a year, billions of birds take part in massive migrations. Generally, birds spend the spring and summer in places where conditions are ideal for raising young, which means mild weather, reliable nesting spots, and plentiful food sources to feed growing chicks. But with the approach of winter, they …

Source

University Track and Soccer Field in Nova Scotia becomes first DarkSky Approved Outdoor Sports Lighting project outside the United States

Drew Reagan — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:01:51 +0000

Church Point, Nova Scotia, Canada Recognizing the need for extended usability after dark, Université Sainte-Anne prioritized the installation of outdoor lighting designed to protect the night. Given its location within the Acadian Skies and Mi’kmaw Lands Starlight Reserve—with important habitat for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway—the university committed to using lighting technology that minimizes …

Source

International Dark Sky Week 2025 invites the world to discover and protect the night

Chris Peterson — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:18:15 +0000

INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK 2025 International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) returns as the world’s largest celebration of dark skies (April 21–28, 2025) inviting people everywhere to discover the wonders of the night, understand the importance of natural darkness, and take meaningful action to protect a resource increasingly at risk of being lost. First launched in …

Source