Light Pollution News

Light Pollution News

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Light Pollution News episodes

  • October 2026: Luminance Lace!

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      This episode's guests:

    • Diane Turnshek, researcher, astronomer, writer
    • Steve Mariconda, DarkSkyNJ
    • Gina Pearson, Dark Sky Land, Inc.

    Bill's News Picks: 

    • Conservationists monitor migrating birds as Mt. Washington 9/11 tribute lights up night sky, Kate Dario, New Hampshire Public Radio. 
    • Optimised light sources reduce nocturnal insect attraction at railway stations, Biological Conservation. 
    • Fifteen new dark sky sites named for astrotourism in Thailand, The Nation. 
    • When photo competitions get it wrong, there are no "bad guys" – just the rule-abiding photographers that get stabbed in the back, Alan Palazon, Digital Camera World. 
    • Brightening the Metro: Hundreds of Lights Installed, City of Albuquerque. 


    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...

    1 hr 10 min
  • A Sparkle of Starlinks!
    It’s another Light Pollution News! This episode, we deconstruct everyone’s favorite satellite constellation, Reflect Orbital, and what it all means for our sense of wonder. The Dark Sky bill in New York stalls out. And what if I told you...maybe you weren’t crazy for thinking some headlights were too bright!
    Joining me for this episode is Pittsburgh’s own Diane Turnshek; from Dark Sky New Jersey, Steve Mariconda; and Dark Sky Land’s Gina Pearson!
    Let’s kick off this episode of Light Pollution News!
    1 hr
  • Luminance Lace
    Hi there, it’s Light Pollution News! This month, I’m welcomed by New Jersey’s own, Steve Mariconda; from the city of Pittsburgh, I welcome back to the show, Diane Turnshek; and board member for Dark Sky Land , among many other past and current responsibilities, Gina Pearson!
    This episode, New Hampshire mourned September 11th 25th anniversary in a monumental manner! What to make of some of these insect studies? And, are you looking for a Dark Sky site in Thailand? We can help clarify what it all means!
    We have a packed episode this month that you won’t want to miss! Let’s go!
    1 hr 10 min
  • September 2026: Lighting for Reassurance

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     This episode's guests:

    • John Barentine, Dark Sky Consulting, LLC
    • Lin Meng, Ecologist

    Bill's News Picks: 

    • How to Grieve a Changing Planet, Phil Lane MSW, LCSW, Psychology Today. 
    • Mitigating artificial light at night: effectiveness of policies and implications for plant phenology, PNAS Nexus. 
    • Breckenridge's dark night skies are dreamy — but they come at a cost, Emma VandenEinde, MarketPlace. 
    • Nighttime light exposure is associated with metabolic dysfunction in schizophrenia: A cross-sectional analysis of the LENS study, SLEEP. 
    • The illusion of control: Do we need dark infrastructures to address light pollution?, Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space.
    • Guy Ottewell honored with an asteroid in his name, EarthSky. 

    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...

    48 min
  • Lighting for Reassurance
    You’ll want to tune in for this one! This episode, I’m joined by plant phenology ecologist, Dr. Lin Meng and Dark Sky Consulting, LLC’s John Barentine!
    Dr. Meng discusses a new exploratory study her team did covering four major East Coast urban areas! How do we bridge divides between residents, municipalities and science. And did you know that an artist from right here in the United States created his very own version of Stone Henge! Find out where next, on this episode of Light Pollution News!
    48 min
  • September 2026: Solar Days.

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      This episode's guests:

    • John Barentine, Dark Sky Consulting, LLC
    • Lin Meng, Ecologist
    • Zhe Zhu, Remote Sensing Specialist

    Bill's News Picks: 

    • A Big Government Decision Could Change Theme Parks Forever, Erica Lauren, Inside the Magic. 
    • Artificial light at night extends pollen season and elevates allergen exposure, PNAS Nexus. 
    • Breckenridge's dark night skies are dreamy — but they come at a cost, Emma VandenEinde, MarketPlace. 
    • Conservation group praises new Kentucky law requiring crops be shielded from lights on state roads, Derek Operle, WKMS. 
    • Every SpaceX Starlink satellite has to dodge a collision almost weekly, and experts fear the worst, Space. 


    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...

    1 hr 10 min
  • Solar Days
    Hi there you at home, thrilled to have you with us yet again. This month, I’m joined by plant phenology ecologist, Dr. Lin Meng; a man with too many interests to mention, Dr. John Barentine; and Remote Sensing guru Dr. Zhe Zhu.
    This episode – pick your side! Is it the Sunshine Protection Act or the Sunshine For Our Kids Act? Breckenridge gets serious about enforcing its lighting ordinance, we’ll see how that turns out. And, does light pollution make allergies worse!?
    All this and much more today on this episode of Light Pollution News!
    1 hr 10 min
  • August 2026: Sustainable Regeneration? Or is it Regenerative Sustainability?

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     This episode's guests:

    • Ruskin Hartley, CEO Dark Sky International
    • Dr. Kaori Yokochi, Ecologist
    • Shane Ludtke, Actual Astronomy Podcast

    Bill's News Picks: 

    • L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area becomes home to 25” telescope, Attilla Danko Deep, Tori Stafford, Kingstonist. 
    • Design approved for AlUla Manara observatory and research center, Arab News. 
    • How Bats Keep Agave Alive: The Nighttime Pollinators Behind Tequila, Reynard Loki, LAProgressive.
    • Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too, Jenny Hall, The Conversation. 
    • Mona Khalil, who left safety in Europe to protect sea turtles in Lebanon, was killed by an Israeli airstrike, Rhett Ayers Butler, Mongabay. 

    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...

    57 min
  • August 2026: Fundamental Rhythms.

    Submit Voicemail!

     This episode's guests:

    • Ruskin Hartley, CEO Dark Sky International
    • Dr. Kaori Yokochi, Ecologist
    • Shane Ludtke, Actual Astronomy Podcast

    Bill's News Picks: 

    • Chief Star Counter, VisitSunshineCoast.
    • Sustainable community development in mountain regions: the case study of Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, Ladakh, India, Sustainable Earth.
    • The Impact of Sunlight and Artificial Light at Night on Sleep Stages: Evidence From a 7-Day Sensor-Based Observational Study, JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
    • LA property owners vote down streetlight fee increase, Kavish Harjai, LAist.
    • Quantification of methane and carbon monoxide from natural gas streetlights in Boston: a ‘low-hanging fruit’ for emissions reduction, Environmental Research Communications.

     

    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...

    1 hr 2 min
  • Sustainable Regeneration? Or is it Regenerative Sustainability?
    This episode of Light Pollution News, you have dark skies, now what? The role of bats in agave pollination. And, what on earth is being built in Saudi Arabia? The answer may look like something right out of Dune!
    Joining me are three incredible guests, CEO of Dark Sky International, Ruskin Hartley; Ecologist, Dr. Kaori Yokochi; and cohost of one of my favorite podcasts, Shane Ludtke.
    Stay with us as all this and more will be coming up next, including news articles not captured in the duration of the show – so be sure to stay with us after the close out!
    57 min

About Light Pollution News

From the publisher's feed

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…