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Light Pollution News
Light Pollution News episodes
- Mother Snowy OwlJoin us today as we talk about some dark sky messaging fails, why salmon need you to switch the lights off, and…oh hey…streetlights with headdresses – what the!This month, I welcome conservationist Michael Calhoun, garden landscaper Phyllis Gricus, and from the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr. Robert Massey!53 min
- Why It’s So Bright at Night.Ever hear of the #9PMRoutine? It's a public awareness campaign by North American law enforcement. Art Hushen returns to help break down why this simple messaging presents serious problems for our night sky.13 min
- Why It's So Bright at Night? Interview with Art Hushen on #9PMRoutine.
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Host Bill McGeeney is joined by Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
The seemingly harmless advice to leave all your exterior lights on overnight might not be the crime deterrent you think it is. Host, Bill McGeeney, reconnects with Art Hushin, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention, to dissect the popular #9PMRoutine campaign sweeping across police departments in the US and Canada.
What started in Florida in 2017 as a well-meaning initiative has attempted to craft people's habits into a nightly ritual: remove valuables from your car, lock all entry points, and keep exterior lights blazing until dawn. But does that last recommendation actually make us safer?Art brings fascinating insights from his decades of experience, revealing how modern criminals have adapted to constant lighting by simply covering up – hoodies pulled low, faces obscured from cameras.
Our discussion explores more effective alternatives that balance security needs with environmental concerns. Motion-activated lighting emerges as a superior option, creating an immediate stimulus that often causes intruders to look up reflexively – "that puts that extra doubt" in their minds about being detected.Perhaps most revealing is Art's perspective on simple solutions like actually using garages for cars instead of storage boxes, eliminating tempting targets altogether. Whether you're concerned about property crime, light pollution, or simply want to make smarter security choices, this conversation offers practical wisdom that goes beyond simplified routines and outdated assumptions about keeping the lights on.
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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...13 min - April 2025: Typewriters and Candlesnuff!
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This month's guests:
- Stephanie Vermillion, Travel Journalist and Author.
- Traci Cardinal, President of Dark Sky Ohio.
- Shane Ludtke, host of the Actual Astronomy Podcast.
Bill's News Picks:
- World Becomes Brighter as Trump Reverses Biden’s Incandescent Light Bulb Ban, Leslie Eastman, Legal Insurrection.
- E Ink's color ePaper tech gets supersized for outdoor displays, Paul Ridden, New Atlas.
- Portsmouth Neighborhood Wins Light Pollution Battle with Tiverton Boatyard, Michael Rock, Fun107.
- It Pays to Sit Tight: Stable Night-Time Incubation Increases Hatching Success in Urban and Forest Great Tits, Parus major, Zoological Science.
- How You Can Still Stargaze Under Light Pollution, Tony Phillips, HowToGeek.
Subscribe:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Youtube
Tag Us and Share with a Friend:
- TikTok
Connect:
- [email protected]
- Join our Mailing List
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...50 min - Typewriters and Candlesnuff.Today, are e-ink outdoor displays the wave of the future? More proof that shielded street lights do more than just keep the light out of your bedroom! And have you ever wanted to stargaze but live in a bright night city, hogwash, we help you find something great to look at tonight!This month, we welcome back author and travel writer, Stephanie Vermillion; Dark Sky Ohio’s Traci Cardinal, and the Actual Astronomy Podcast’s Shane Ludtke!50 min
- April 2025: Shadow Cast!
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This month's guests:
- Stephanie Vermillion, Travel Journalist and Author.
- Traci Cardinal, President of Dark Sky Ohio.
- Shane Ludtke, host of the Actual Astronomy Podcast.
Bill's News Picks:
- China: Eerie jellyfish-like streetlight spotted in China, Stingers Hub.
- Dark Sky Week deemed dangerous, fails in North Dakota Senate, Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor.
- This New ‘Astro Trail’ in Arizona Is Located in One of the ‘Astronomy Capitals of the World'—and Makes Stops at Observatories, State Parks, and More, Evie Charrick, Travel + Leisure.
- Inside the Private Astronomy Village Hidden in the Darkest Part of Georgia, Blake Guthrie, Matador Network.
- Commentary: A tale of two cities, Bob Yoesle, Columbia Gorge News.
Subscribe:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Youtube
Tag Us and Share with a Friend:
- TikTok
Connect:
- [email protected]
- Join our Mailing List
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...58 min - Shadow Cast!This week, we learn about an airport that has started down its path to become Dark Sky certified, have you heard of the cautionary tale of Goldendale, WA? We’ll be sure to fill you in!…and we learn about the one noctourism adventure that you need to check off of your list in 2025!This month, I welcome Dark Sky Ohio’s Traci Cardinal, the Actual Astronomy Podcast’s Shane Ludke, and author, travel writer, Stephanie Vermillion!58 min
- March 2025: Follow Where Others Are Going.
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This month's guests:
- Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
- Jeff Schmalz, founder of r/DarkSky.
- Spencer SooHoo, Los Angeles Astronomical Society Secretary and Dark Sky Advocate.
Bill's News Picks:
- An Evaluation of Citywide Street Lighting Upgrades on Gun Violence, Crime Justice Lab.
- Street lighting environment and fear of crime: a simulated virtual reality experiment, Virtual Reality.
- Rural students hit jackpot in dark sky, to be trained in astronomy, New Indian Express.
- Energy megaproject in Chile threatens the world’s largest telescopes, Daniel Clery, Science.
- Jun Ong’s Illuminated Art: “HALO” and the Power of Light in Space, Jesse James, Stupid Dope.
Subscribe:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Youtube
Tag Us and Share with a Friend:
- TikTok
Connect:
- [email protected]
- Join our Mailing List
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...54 min - March 2025: Gateway Topics!
Submit Voicemail!
This month's guests:
- Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
- Jeff Schmalz, founder of r/DarkSky.
- Spencer SooHoo, Los Angeles Astronomical Society Secretary and Dark Sky Advocate.
Bill's News Picks:
- Streetlight upgrade to help protect dark skies, Richard Edwards, BBC.
- The War Against Headlight Brightness, Nate Rogers, The Ringer.
- Atlantic puffins are perilously attracted to artificial light, new study shows, Spoorthy Raman, Mongabay.
- Nocturnal camouflage through background matching against moonlight, PNAS
- National Park visitors perceive benefits for themselves and wildlife under blended red-white outdoor lighting, Scientific Reports.
Subscribe:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Youtube
Tag Us and Share with a Friend:
- TikTok
Connect:
- [email protected]
- Join our Mailing List
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 - Gateway Topics!This episode, headlights, interior lights – what is going on with car lights?!? And should we leave the lights ON for puffins? Plus, how much do you spend on getting a good night’s sleep?This month, on the show I welcome Los Angeles dark sky advocate, Spencer SooHoo; the founder of the Dark Skies subreddit, Jeff Schmalz; and the law enforcement veteran and educator, Art Hushen!1 hr
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…
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 disappearing nighttime environment and the world around you.