Tag

Light Pollution

All articles tagged with #light pollution

technology1 day ago•6 min saved

FCC Clears Earendil-1 Space Mirror Test to Reflect Sunlight Back to Earth

The FCC approved a single demonstration satellite, Earendil-1 by Reflect Orbital, which uses a 60-by-60-foot mirror to reflect sunlight onto Earth over a ground area roughly 3 miles wide. The company envisions benefits like powering solar farms at night or aiding disaster relief, but astronomers and environmental groups raised concerns, contributing about 1,800 public comments. The agency says this is a limited, short-term test and did not require an environmental review; Reflect Orbital plans to launch later this year and pursue independent research and NSF coordination.

via PCMag|

#astronomy #light-pollution #regulation

science9 days ago•4 min saved

ESO warns 1.7 million satellites could ruin ground‑based astronomy

A European Southern Observatory study warns that plans to launch up to 1.7 million satellites—by SpaceX, Reflect Orbital, E-Space and others—could darken and brighten the night sky to levels that degrade ground‑based astronomy, potentially making data from major observatories like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory unusable. The researchers urge a cap around 100,000 satellites and efforts to minimize glare near observatories, highlighting broader concerns from light pollution to space debris and a looming FCC decision on various constellations.

via Euronews|

#astronomy #fcc #light-pollution

space9 days ago•105 min saved

Satellite Boom Could Obscure the Night Sky, Threatening Telescopes

A European Southern Observatory study warns that rapid growth of satellite megaconstellations could soon brighten and streak the night sky to a point where ground-based telescopes become unusable, forcing longer exposure times and higher costs; proposals like Reflect Orbital’s space mirrors could worsen the issue, prompting regulatory and international-law considerations and calls from astronomers to mitigate the impact on science and the public’s view of the sky.

via Space|

#astronomy #light-pollution #satellites

local17 days ago•28 min saved

June Strawberry Moon peaks at 6:56 PM CT this weekend, here's how to spot its rosy glow

Summer’s here and the Strawberry Moon—the first full moon of the season—will illuminate the night sky on June 29, with peak illumination at 6:56 p.m. CT. The name reflects historical Native American observations of berry ripening, including Haida references. For the best view, head to a dark spot away from city lights and check FOX 17’s forecast for cloud cover or storms that could block the view.

via WZTV|

#astronomy #full-moon #light-pollution

science1 month ago•17 min saved

Atacama's Dark Skies Under Threat as Light Pollution Creeps In

In Chile’s Atacama Desert, home to ESO’s Paranal Observatory, some of Earth’s darkest skies are increasingly affected by artificial light from nearby cities, mining and growing satellite traffic. A proposed nearby megaproject, Inna, could have raised light levels at the observatory by as much as 50% and introduced air turbulence, prompting scientists to push for tighter regulations beyond a 10% threshold. Although AES Andes canceled Inna in 2026, enforcement of light-pollution rules remains weak, and the International Astronomical Union’s 2025 guidelines call for lower limits and a possible secondary norm to empower government action to dim lights if needed. The issue underscores a global struggle: preserving dark skies is crucial for astronomy and our understanding of the universe, even as technology and industry encroach.

via BBC|

#atacama-desert #eso #light-pollution

environment2 months ago•3 min saved

Global Night Sky Brightens as Artificial Light Expands by 16%

A Nature study using satellite imagery finds artificial nighttime lights increased worldwide by about 16% from 2014 to 2022, with the United States having the highest total luminosity in 2022 and regional variations driven by conflict and disasters (notably Europe dimming during the Russia–Ukraine energy crisis). The rise in light pollution affects wildlife by disrupting sleep, navigation, and feeding, and can disrupt human circadian rhythms; the issue is reversible and individual actions—such as dimming outdoor lighting and using shields—can help, with tools like the Light Pollution Map and DarkSky resources available for guidance.

via USA Today|

#artificial-lighting #circadian-rhythm #environment

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Threat to Atacama's Dark Skies as Light Pollution Spreads

The Atacama Desert, a premier astronomy hub hosting the ELT and major observatories, faces rising light pollution from mining, energy projects, and urban development. Scientists warn that even small increases in artificial light can degrade decades of data and hinder the search for Earth-like planets, spurring calls for stricter protections and regulatory updates after a near-miss green-energy project near Paranal highlighted governance gaps.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#astronomy #atacama-desert #dark-skies

science2 months ago•42 min saved

Chile’s Atacama Desert: Dark Skies at Risk from Modern Development

The Atacama Desert in Chile hosts some of the world’s most powerful astronomical facilities thanks to exceptionally dark skies, but growing urban expansion, mining, wind farms, and a canceled nearby green-energy project have spotlighted how light pollution and regulations threaten these observatories and their ability to study the universe—spurring calls for stricter sky-preservation rules to safeguard projects like the ELT and the search for Earth‑like planets.

via Yahoo|

#astronomy #atacama-desert #extremely-large-telescope

environment2 months ago•3 min saved

Earth’s night lights rise, but the glow flickers with policy and conflict

NASA-funded study of 1.16 million satellite images shows artificial night lighting increased about 16% globally from 2014–2022, but regional shifts were volatile: Europe dimmed significantly due to efficiency rules and energy shortages, Venezuela dropped after economic collapse, while Asia continued to brighten; the United States saw mixed signals with West Coast growth and East Coast dimming; gas flaring in central US highlighted energy waste; overall radiance rose but with a patchwork of bright and dim regions, reflecting policy, economy, and conflict.

via The Guardian|

#artificial-light #energy-efficiency #environment

space3 months ago•79 min saved

Global night glow up 16% since 2014, with pockets of dimming from conflict and policy

A Nature-published study using NASA’s VIIRS satellite data finds Earth’s night-time artificial lighting brightened by about 16% from 2014 to 2022, driven mainly by developing regions such as India, China and parts of Africa, indicating rising electricity access and activity. Yet some regions dimmed due to wars, disasters, or effective energy-saving policies (e.g., Ukraine, France), producing a flickering pattern rather than uniform brightening. The results highlight regional variability and note LED lighting can affect satellite measurements, with dimming areas expanding in certain regions even as overall brightness rises.

via Space|

#energy-policy #light-pollution #night-sky-brightness

technology3 months ago•7 min saved

Startup Proposes 4,000 Orbital Sky Mirrors to Shine Daylight After Dusk, Draws Astronomers’ Fears

A California startup, Reflect Orbital, plans a constellation of up to 4,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites each carrying large tilting reflectors to redirect sunlight toward Earth after sunset, potentially delivering daylight-like illumination for hours. A demonstration mission (Eärendil-1) is in the works, with ambitions to scale to tens of thousands of satellites, raising major concerns among astronomers and ecologists about night-sky brightness, wildlife impacts, and orbital congestion before any large-scale deployment.

via Indian Defence Review|

#light-pollution #orbital-safety #reflective-surfaces

photography3 months ago•21 min saved

Satellites Flood the Night Sky: A Photographer’s Heartbreak and a Widening Light-Pollution Crisis

A 30‑minute composite by Alan Dyer shows satellite trails across the night sky, illustrating how the rapid growth of orbital satellites is increasing light pollution for astrophotography. A 2025 survey found 90% of astrophotographers affected; with Starlink's 10,000th satellite launched and estimates of tens of thousands more, experts warn the practice could degrade night-sky photography unless shooters time sessions to minimize satellite trails.

via Digital Camera World|

#astrophotography #light-pollution #night-sky

space3 months ago•3 min saved

SpaceX Reaches 10,000 Satellites, Night Sky Art Exposes Light Pollution

SpaceX hit a milestone by launching its 10,000th satellite into low-Earth orbit, and photographer Joshua Rozells captured the night-sky impact in a 343-frame composite that highlights satellite trails. The image amplifies concerns about satellite light pollution affecting astrophotography and astronomy, and it spotlights regulatory gaps while acknowledging the benefits of widespread internet access.

via PetaPixel|

#astronomy #astrophotography #light-pollution

lifestyle4 months ago•33 min saved

Ad truck glare sparks neighborhood debate on light pollution

A Reddit post shows a bright, illegally parked truck in an apartment parking lot used to sell advertising, drawing concerns about light pollution and wasted energy. Studies have found light pollution rising about 10% annually since 2011, contributing to higher energy use and carbon emissions. The piece suggests actions like switching to LED bulbs and closing blinds to reduce stray light and its environmental impact.

via Yahoo|

#advertising-truck #energy-waste #environment

environment4 months ago•7 min saved

Bat-Friendly Red Streetlights Spark Denmark’s Urban Ecology Experiment

In Gladsaxe near Copenhagen, Denmark replaced standard white LED streetlights with red LEDs along Frederiksborgvej to protect a nearby bat colony and reduce light pollution, balancing driver safety with wildlife. The project is part of a broader EU Lighting Metropolis program advancing greener urban lighting aligned with UNDP sustainable-city goals.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#bat-conservation #denmark #environment