Light Pollution News

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Host Bill McGeeney is joined by AstroBackyard's Ashley Northcotte, lighting designer and founder of Dark Source, Kerem Asfuroglu, and educator and advocate, Diane Turnshek.

See Full Show Notes, Lighting Tips and more at LightPollutionNews.com. Like this episode, share it with a friend!

Bill's Picks:

• God’s Promises Are Clearest When We Turn Out the Lights, Cort Gatliff, Christianity Today. 
• Stays in Vegas: London mayor rejects plan for Stratford Sphere venue, Robert Booth, The Guardian. 
• Heber Valley Utah Temple approved. See why the church agreed to dim the lighting, Tad Walch, Dessert News. 
• Trains, stargazing put Ely on the map. Critics fear clean energy project could undo that., Wyaat Myskow, The Nevada Independent. 
• Energy efficiency indicators in road lighting: critical evaluation in a case study, Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences Technical Sciences. 
• Shining a light on duckweed: exploring the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on growth and pigmentation, Plant Biology. 
• Giant lasers to light up San Francisco for APEC, Amy Larson, KRON 4. 
• Why can’t I wish upon a star in Boston?, Meg Richards, Berkeley Beacon. 

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

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Happy Holidays from Light Pollution News! Here's a special gift episode as a thank you for your continued support in 2023!
 
In this special mini-episode, host Bill McGeeney shares seven articles left out of the normal month to month cycle! Stay tuned to for a post-show wrap up montage!

See Full Show Notes, Lighting Tips and more at LightPollutionNews.com. Like this episode, share it with a friend!

Bill's Picks:

• Bored Ape creator says UV lights at ApeFest burned attendees’ eyes and skin, Beth mole, Ars Technica. 
• Lighting up rural Zimbabwe with upcycled plastic and LEDs, Privilege Musvanhiri, Deutsche Welle.
• The night sky is always getting faked, Emma Roth, the Verge. 
• Illuminating investments: capitalising on the battle against light pollution, Lombard Odier.
• 12 News Investigates: Hidden neighborhood danger -- street lights shocking dogs, killing one, Hillary Mintz, WISN.
• LED lightbulbs may be hazardous to your health, Katherine Drabiak, The Hill.
• Q&A: Why Do Humans Need Dark Skies?, Anya Petrone Slepyan, Daily Yonder. 

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Like what we're doing? For the cost of coffee, you can become a Monthly Supporter. Your assistance will help cover server and production costs.

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Last Episode of 2023! Host Bill McGeeney is joined by 2023 Dark Sky Int'l Rising Star Award Recipient, Bonnie Peng, photographer of the new book, Spirits Dancing, Travis Novitsky, and Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator for the McDonald Observatory, Stephen Hummel.

See Full Show Notes, Lighting Tips and more at LightPollutionNews.com. Like this episode, share it with a friend!

Bill's Picks: 

• F1 bans three key colours from Sphere during Vegas GP action, Adam Cooper, Autosport. 
• Artificial light at night: a global disruptor of the night-time environment, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 
• Nighttime drone shows gaining more popularity, WVLT News. 
• 5 Things You Can Do to Reduce Light Pollution, Madeleine Burry, AAA.
• SIU student’s campaign illuminates light pollution and its impact on wildlife, Carly Gist, Daily Egyptian.
• DARK SKIES: Students invited to count stars to pinpoint areas of light pollution in southwestern N.S., Tina Comeau, Saltwire. 
• Low-cost air, noise, and light pollution measuring station with wireless communication and tinyML, Hardware X. 
• Livin’ the Dream: Stars in a dark night sky, Mountain Times.

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

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This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Ben Chappell, of the Narrowband Channel, Matthias Schmitt, Cedar Breaks National Monument Night Sky Program Manager, and environmental educator / blogger, Frank Turina.

See Full Show Notes at LightPollutionNews.com.

• While Las Vegas inaugurates its Sphere, London residents push back on plans for replica venue, Duarte Dias, CBS News.
• L.A. planning commission backs plan for 80 digital billboards on Metro sites, David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times.
• Astronomers sound alarm over light pollution from huge new satellite, Nicola Davis, The Guardian.
• Little-known medical condition that only reveals itself at night could affect millions, Antony Thrower, The Mirror.
• Pennsylvania Knights Build Observatory at VA Hospital, Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. 
• Birders’ Joy Turns to Shock as Massive Migratory Wave Leads to Mass Mortality Due to Collisions With Chicago Buildings, Patty Wetli, WTTW.
• NEXT BIG STEPS FOR LIGHTS OUT LEGISLATION IN NEW YORK CITY, Suzanne Charle, NYC Audubon.

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Ziz Knight, cofounder of the newly formed, Dark Skies Los Angeles, and Drew Evans, of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition / Astrophotographer.

See Full Show Notes at LightPollutionNews.com.

• Perma-noon: On Light Pollution and the Way We Talk About the Natural World, Lauren Collee, LARB. 
• This Incredible Glamping Site in Utah Is the First Resort to Become Dark Sky Certified, Stefanie Waldek, Travel & Leisure. 
• How New ‘Dark Sky Resorts’ Will Help The Growing Astro-Tourism Market, James Carter, Forbes. 
• Dark skies & Wild roars: Astrotourism in Safari destinations, Tsoko Maela, Getaway. 
• Kayaking, night swims and stargazing: embracing adventure in Alentejo, Portugal, Orla Thomas, National Geographic. 
• Three high-profile bills the California legislature will hear before session ends, Edan Villavolas, Washington Examiner. 
• Cape May Introduces Light Pollution Ordinance, Vince Conti, Cape May County Herald. 
• You can see the Milky Way from Nantucket. Residents want to keep it that way, Paula Moura, WBUR. 
• Saving the Night Sky, Josh Riedel, Esquire. 
• Should Greenwich ban night-time 'landscape lighting?'' It may protect migrating birds, experts say., Robert Marchant, Greenwich Time. 
• Drivers’ Experiences and Informed Opinions of Presence Sensitive Lighting Point towards the Feasibility of Introducing Adaptive Lighting in Roadway Contexts, Smart Cities. 
• Sleeping on the ISS isn't easy. This lamp for astronauts could help, Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com 
• Lights Out, Texas! is helping keep the stars at night big and bright, Cole Baerlocher, Agrilife. 
• Arch to dim lights for birds in September, Daniel Newman, STL Today. 

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Frank Turina, an astrophotographer, night sky advocate, and environmental educator with more than 15 years of working with the United States National Park Service Night Skies Program. You can learn more about his examinations of the ecological and cultural effects of light pollution from his website, at Darkskyastrophoto.

And  Ken Walczak, Senior Manager of the Far Horizons program at the Adler Planetarium, Co-Author of numerous papers on design and use of innovating instrumentation for light pollution research, and co-lead in the successful designation of the world's largest Urban Night Sky Place, the Palos Preserves. Walczak is also a board member with Dark Sky International. 

See Full Show Notes at LightPollutionNews.com.

• With inspiration from Indianapolis, Destination Cleveland plans major downtown lighting installation, Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer Cleveland.
• LED billboards could buy their way to Miami streets via campaign donations, Ladra, Political Cortadito.
• 150% increase in light pollution in three years may lead to loss of dark sky status for park, Catherine Hubbard, Stuff.co
• City of London Corporation Adopts New Net-Zero Light Pollution Guidance, Ella Tansley, This Week in FM.
• Environmental organization files 106 page report over light pollution on Palm Beach, threatens lawsuit, Caleb Califano, WPBF.
• Powys stargazers hit as £3,000 of telescopes stolen from observatory, Matt Jones, POWS Country Times. 
• West Texas Oil Country Is Revealing a Sky Full of Stars, Sam Karas, Reasons to be Cheerful.
• Sphere lights up Las Vegas skyline with massive LED display, ABC News
• Artificial Light at Night: state of the science 2023 report released, John Barentine, Dark Sky Int’l. 
• The Best No-Crowd Places to Go Stargazing, Emma Veidt, Backpacker.
• LED lights are meant to save energy. They’re creating glaring problems, Kasha Patel, Kati Perry, Daniel Wolfe, and Emily Sabens, Washington Post.

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Jared Flesher, director of Dark Sacred Night, and Bill Green of the Philadelphia Moon Men and Brussels Lunatics. Learn more at LightPollutionNews.com.

Articles:

• U.S. Bans Incandescent Light Bulbs 
• The Next Pandemic Might Occur Because It’s Too Bright Out 
• Across China: Dark Sky Industry delivers bright future for village 
• Sheffield Conservation Area in Ontario has Gorgious Panomamic View 
• Under a sea of stars 
• These National Parks Are Hosting Stargazing Festivals in 2023 
• Why you should stop painting with light when photographing at night 
• Unistellar Says its New Astro Photo Tech Totally Eliminates Light Pollution 
• Charted: Distance to dark skies 
• Smart lighting to minimise light pollution and protect biodiversity 
• Low estrogen may worsen the circadian effects of light pollution 
• Dim artificial light at night alters gene expression rhythms and growth in a key seagrass species 
• Light pollution is taking the sparkle out of glow-worm mating 
• Light pollution confuses a color-changing coastal woodlouse, new research shows 
• Regulating light pollution 
• Groveland is 1st city in Florida certified as Dark Sky Community 
• New Jersey Town Takes Stand Against Outdoor Lighting 
• THE FEDS HAVE THOUSANDS OF STADIUM LIGHTS ON THE BORDER. SWITCHING THEM ON WOULD DEVASTATE DESERT ECOSYSTEMS 

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Scott Morgan, Assistant Park Manager of the Hills Creek Park Complex - part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Daylon Burt of the Astro Escape. Learn more at LightPollutionNews.com.

Articles:

• Survey finds increase in first-time Big Bend visitors, with most now staying outside the park
• A day in space: Look no further than Flagstaff for your cosmos-themed day trip
• 11 Dark Sky Airbnbs in Utah Perfect for Stargazing
• How to Find the Best Campsite for Stargazing This Summer
• 2 million acres, 8 forests. It's all in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
• Northern Nights, Starry Skies
• Light pollution and creation care
• New Study Shows Urban Lighting Disrupts Rural Insects
• Global disruption of coral broadcast spawning associated with artificial light at night
• Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places Dark Skies Project
• There are two places in the world you can see a moonbow and this KY state park is one
• Bridging the gap between astronomy and the space industry
• Villagers in Rennington call for removal of streetlights to preserve dark sky views
• City of South Lake Tahoe begins work making lights “dark sky compliant”
• New Zealanders to Celebrate Maori New Year in July
• French towns introduce ‘smart’ street lights which locals can turn on
• VIDEO: New project lights up WWU campus
• THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL DOESN’T WORK: INVESTIGATING ANU’S STREET LIGHTING

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by astronomer, historian, author, science communicator, and dark-sky consultant, John Barentine of the Dark Sky Consulting LLC and Conservationist, Kaitlyn Evans. Learn more at LightPollutionNews.com.

Articles:

• I was busted by the light police. They had a point 
• The forgotten medieval habit of 'two sleeps' 
• Want to Learn About Light Pollution? There’s a mini-course for that!
• Star bathing is the new outdoor travel trend we should all be trying for Summer 2023  
• Industry Must Face an Inconvenient Truth -- Most LED Lights at Night are Unhealthy 
• Unpacking the Wallpack 
• Songbirds, dusk and clear skies: Scientists explore migratory flights 
• ‘Lights Out’ initiative appears to be saving birds from crashing into Philly buildings 
• Knoxville, TN Zoo is offering up what they call “Twilight Tours” per WVLT 8 
• Flashlights posing major threat to nesting sea turtles 
• Capture the Dark 2023 officially is under way 
• Why the Greatest Threat to Star-Gazing Isn’t Light Pollution
• Smart Street Lights Market is Expected to Hit USD 14,751.1 million at a 23.4% CAGR by 2030 
• LDS Church will get to light up its Heber Valley Temple after all, but the faith didn’t get everything it wanted  
• A World Without Darkness Could Be a Reality within a Few Years 
• Aussie region determined to keep its darkness is a stargazer’s dream 

Afraid of the Dark:

• Hilton Head’s dark roads and pedestrians are deadly combo. What the town is doing about it

Research Article of the Month: 

• Manipulating spectra of artificial light affects movements patterns of bats along ecological corridors 

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

Submit Voicemail!

This Month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Michael Rymer of the Dark Sky (formerly International Dark Sky Association) and Youth Advocate, Bonnie Peng. Learn more at LightPollutionNews.com.

Articles:

• Is light pollution making darkness a luxury? 
• Here Come the Lumens 
• The New Light Is Bad There’s something off about LED bulbs — which will soon be, thanks to a federal ban, the only kind you can buy. 
• "Mysterious spiral" that looks like hazy, glowing galaxy seen hovering in Alaska's northern lights
• Why It’s Time for a Worldwide Lights-Out Program 
• The Consequences of Light Pollution 
• Light Pollution Disrupts Seasonal Differences in the Daily Activity and Metabolic Profiles of the Northern House Mosquito, Culex pipiens 
• Blue Vigil developed a high intensity tethered LED array to a drone 
• You're Definitely Suffering the Effects of Light Pollution—But We're Here to Help 
• $3M in federal money coming to Norfolk for streetlight upgrades
• Mayor Gloria highlights federal funding for streetlight repairs in multiple areas of San Diego 
• Frederick, Md plans to update its street lighting 

Afraid of the Dark: 

• The Safety of Light: A Short History of Light in Public Spaces 
• Camden Working to Fix Street Light Outages to Help Make Community Safer
• Natural Surveillance for Crime and Traffic Accidents: Simulating Improvements of Street Lighting in an Older Community 

Research Article of the Month: Impact of Solid State Roadway Lighting on Melatonin in Humans 

Support the show

A hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.

For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!

Why Support Light Pollution News?

• Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.
• Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.
• Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.

About Light Pollution News:

Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way?

Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...