RASC Light Pollution

New York Light Pollution Bill Could Protect Wildlife And Save Energy onegreenplanet.org/news/new-york-…

In 1994, during a power outage, the only time the Milky Way was visible in the city of Los Angeles, many people were scared by the sight and called 911.

Permanent Standard Time brings us closer to nature’s rhythms. #DitchDST

What a superb article - a long read plus graphics on insect migration! theguardian.com/environment/ng…

"'These proposals would not only have a disastrous impact on the science of astronomy, they would also hinder the right of everybody on Earth to enjoy the night sky. That is unacceptable.'" (via @itvnews) itv.com/news/2026-03-1…

There was a bioblitz event in 2025 at the Cypress Hills #DarkSky Preserve, here's the final species tally: albertawilderness.ca/cypress-hills-…

@RASC_LPA 🤢 nytimes.com/2026/03/09/cli…

Join RASC Montreal online to celebrate Dark Skies, difficult to find in Montreal! JAC Astro presents Earth Hour, learn about RASC's Light Pollution Abatement initiatives, and explore travel astrophotography as Dr. Russell Fralich shares his adventures. Sunday, Mar 22nd 4pm EDT

Some long-distance migrating #moths use magnetic fields to navigate, others use star patterns. neurosciencenews.com/moth-migration…

SpaceX is proposing to launch 1 million satellites into orbit. And one dept of the US Government has the authority to decide the fate of the night sky for all mankind. Ours could be the last generation to see the stars. Speak up! darksky.org/news/open-lett…

Sommes-nous sur le point de ne plus voir les étoiles ? ledevoir.com/interactif/202…

"Two little-noted applications under review by the Federal Communications Commission would, if fully implemented, fundamentally remake the night sky. But the FCC, the satellite regulator, appears to have fast-tracked approval without much of a pause." washingtonpost.com/climate-enviro…

Seeing some takes on Bortle class sky rating that I think are good for some discussion. A Bortle class refers to the whole sky. Not part of the sky. The sky is not Bortle class 2 overhead and Bortle class 4 or 5 near the horizon. Each class has a description valid for the entire sky. For example, Bortle class 3: "Some indication of light pollution is evident along the horizon. Clouds may appear faintly illuminated in the brightest parts of the sky near the horizon, but are dark overhead. The Milky way still appears complex …" And it then goes on to other indicators and criteria. This is valid for the entire sky. Clouds - dark overhead, may be faintly illuminated near the horizon. The Milky Way still appears complex. If there is uncertainty, perhaps some indicators from a class above or below are present (and this may depend on the atmosphere - how much humidity and aerosols there are), it could be Bortle class 2-3 or 3-4. The better rating under good conditions, the worse rating under poor conditions. But not class 2 overhead and class 4 or 5 near the horizon. The Bortle dark sky scale has some elements that depend on factors other than light pollution. Airglow is in my experience visible *far more often* than the scale indicates, especially around solar maximum. Bright airglow can be mistaken for high clouds illuminated by light pollution. It can be bright enough to brighten the sky tremendously. My Bortle class 3 location goes to 21.5-21.6 mpsas during solar minimum, but even on very transparent, clear nights during solar maximum it can reach just 20.9-21.0. The other factor is visual limiting magnitude. I have observed meteors together with a number of observers and groups over the years and under the same sky the limiting magnitude can vary tremendously between observers, up to a full magnitude. It is not just myopia or astigmatism, some people have sharp eyesight but apparently less sensitive eyes. Or there may be different thresholds to positive detection: one person may be convinced they see a star if they can hold it constantly with direct or averted vision, an experienced observer may be confident even if they see the star only 10% of the time (or in the case of Stephen James O'Meara only a few % of the time). Photo: Bortle class 3 sky at Šebreljski vrh (Šebrelje Peak), Slovenia during an average summer night and the corresponding sky brightness map from Lightpollutionmap. The LP at 3 to 6 o'clock is from way SW in Italy. Thanks, Italy ...

Again and again... "Overall, the results suggest that switching off public lighting does not have a significant effect on crime" Chloé Beaudet. Université Paris-Saclay, 2025. pastel.hal.science/tel-05437768v1

The Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area is a @rasc-recognized Nocturnal Preserve. #LightPollution reduction @RASC_LPA

Desde la @PlatMadNocturno, en la que participan algunos de los más reputados expertos de Europa en #iluminaciónsostenible y contaminación lumínica, hemos contactado con los responsables municipales para transmitirles nuestra disposición desinteresada a asesorarles en el proyecto.

Some new work by Jenell Johnson (@UWMadison) takes on one of the biggest challenges in advocacy around the issues of light pollution and dark skies: countering the fear of nighttime darkness that she describes as “The Most Challenging Argument to Make”. tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.108…

Congratulations to the State of Maine on new legislation that will require that new or replacement lighting installed using public funds or on public property meets standards that prevent #lightpollution mailchi.mp/94c98bf3ed0e/j…

Fun ways to celebrate Dark Sky Week, green hair salons, spa treatments for whales, and peatland restoration: EcoWest News, January 13, 2026 ecofriendlywest.ca/ecowest-news-j…

Come along for a mindful stargazing adventure 🌕✨ 📅 February 14 at 6 - 9.30pm - 5-mile night walk, exploring myth, folklore and the dark skies above - Learn the benefits of walking in the dark - Discover stars and planets yorkshiredales.org.uk/whats-on/magic… 📸 Adventures for the Soul