25-Jan-2023: A study has found that non-natural light has increased the brightness of Skyglow

Skyglow

• An omnipresent sheet of light across the night sky in and around cities that can block all but the very brightest stars from view
• Caused by the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas because of streetlights, security floodlights, and outdoor ornamental lights

Scenario of Skyglow

• Global: Skyglow had brightened around 6.5% over Europe, 10.4% over North America, and 7.7% over the rest of the world
• India: 19.5% of India’s population experiences a level of skyglow that would at least keep the Milky Way galaxy out of sight and at most render “dark adaptation for human eyes” impossible
• Satellites are unable to sense blue light emitted by LEDs and to study light that is emitted parallel to the ground

Implications of Skyglow

• Wastes energy and money
• Disrupts the ecosystem and wildlife
• Harms human health
• Erases Indigenous connection to the stars, acting as a form of ongoing cultural and ecological genocide

Solutions

• Light sources casting light at an angle below the plane of the horizon
• Capping the emissions of these sources and calibrating their output according to the total brightness at the spot being lit
• Shielding lights so that they do not shed light into the surrounding environment and sky
• Investing in lighting solutions in less-developed regions before animals there are seriously affected
• Creating ‘International Dark Sky Places’ where artificial lighting has been adjusted to reduce skyglow and light trespass