Reclaiming the Night Sky

Much of the world’s lighting represents wasted energy that shines directly upward into space as seen in this composite satellite image. (NASA)

Chicago at night. In an average year the U.S. uses 120 terawatt-hours of energy, enough power to meet New York City’s total electricity needs for two years.

Glare from poorly shielded outdoor lighting degrades your vision by decreasing contrast. (Jim Richardson)

Lamps decorate a building in Washington, DC, sending the light skyward. (Jim Dougherty, International Dark Sky Association)

Shielded light directed downward improves visibility of U.S. Capitol at night. (Jim Dougherty, International Dark Sky Association)

A gas station with excessive, unshielded lights. (Pete Strasser, International Dark Sky Association)

After a retrofit, the gas station’s new shielded fixtures point down, creating enough light to see. (Pete Strasser, International Dark Sky Association)

Glare from bright lights creates shadows where criminals can hide. (George Fleenor)

An intruder is revealed when lights are dimmed. (George Fleenor)

LED fixtures direct light where it is needed. (Jim Dougherty, International Dark Sky Association)

Some of the darkest skies in the world are above the Atacama desert in Chile. (ESO/Babtafreshi)

Van Gogh painted his famous Starry Night in Saint Remy, France in 1889. Now the Milky Way can no longer be seen from there. (Public domain)