Latest news with #lightpollution
South China Morning Post
18 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Is it or isn't it a rare pink aurora above Kai Tak? Hongkongers have their say
Hongkongers looking at the morning sky on Thursday may have thought they were witnessing a rare pink aurora – but it was most likely to be light pollution. Advertisement A large swathe of the sky above Kai Tak Stadium glowed pink in the early hours, but the Observatory said it was not linked to a geomagnetic storm recorded in recent days. 'We have conducted a preliminary inspection of the photos and we do not believe this is a natural phenomenon,' the Observatory said. Instead, the forecaster said surrounding city lights were likely to have been the cause. The unusual sight prompted social media users to wonder whether it was connected to a geomagnetic storm that brought pink hues to other parts of the world in recent days. Advertisement 'Did not you watch the news? It's the peak of the solar storm. There will be pink auroras in different places around the world in the next two days,' one social media user said. 'The northern lights! You are so lucky,' another wrote.
CBC
19-05-2025
- CBC
Could much of eastern Ontario become a dark-sky preserve? One group hopes so
It's a massive undertaking, but two men are hoping to turn much of eastern Ontario into a dark-sky preserve — and they're leaning into astrotourism, something they say has been a growing trend since the pandemic. Dark-sky preserves are considered protected areas that try to reduce light pollution and preserve the night sky for animals, insects and plants that rely on it. With that comes astrotourism, where people venture to those areas to see objects in the night sky that aren't visible in cities. "I call it covert environmentalism, but under the hood, it does wonders for people, wilderness, butterflies, bats," said John Criswick, who started the NWNC Dark-Sky Project (which stands for Narrows Lock, Westport, Newboro and Chaffeys Lock) and has been working to get that smaller region declared a preserve through Dark Sky International. They feel that going with that organization, versus the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada — which has certified numerous other preserves in the country — would provide more tourism attention internationally. It also wouldn't be the first in the region to be certfied by DarkSky International, as Mont Tremblant in western Quebec became certified a few years ago. Their undertaking doesn't stop there, however. Within the next few years, they hope to expand the project to cover a roughly 42,000 square-kilometre area that includes about 75 towns and townships and more than half a million residents in eastern Ontario. "It would make it one of the largest dark-sky preserves in Canada," said Criswick. That area would stretch from Cornwall to Hawkesbury, through to Petawawa, Bancroft, Algonquin Provincial Park and down Highway 401. It would exclude municipalities with populations greater than about seven thousand people. While Criswick said it's more of an educational campaign, they'd like to see regulations brought in by municipalities that would cover the types of lights used outside — for instance, a more yellow-red hue for street lamps rather than bright white. That's part of the challenge, Criswick said, as they're up against a growing problem in Canada and around the world — light pollution. 2% of night sky lost every year "One of the biggest things is the cheapness of LED lights," said Bernie Hasselman, part of the light pollution abatement committee with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. "Bright white gives off a lot of blue light and blue light is ... a serotonin inhibitor. So it prevents a lot of the ability for people to get the rest that they need." It's also a growing problem. The world, Hasselman said, is losing about two per cent of the night sky every year to light pollution, a problem that didn't really exist much more than 100 years ago. People who live in urban centres, he said, likely have never seen a truly dark sky unless they've ventured into the country at night. "They've never seen the Milky Way unless they've gone out camping," he said. "It's amazing how fast your eyes can be adjusted to darkness in about 10 minutes," Hasselman added. "But one flash of a flashlight and boom, you're back to starting all over." How to reduce light pollution Part of the initiative involves helping eastern Ontarians understand what light pollution is, and how to reduce it. "If you need some lights to be able to get safely down your steps or get out to your dock, great. If you want to have some lights in your garden, that's great," said Dustin Johnston, who's working with Criswick on the dark-sky project. There are small tweaks, however, that anyone can do, he added. "You can have [those lights] shielded or facing down or have them not super bright. You can have them on the amber spectrum." Before labelling much of the eastern Ontario region a dark-sky preserve, they're aiming toward holding a "dark week" in May 2026 — the 200th anniversary of the start of the construction of the Rideau Canal. "It's interesting to live here and be in eastern Ontario, in this region. It's pristine, it's beautiful. It's dark. It has all those attributes," said Criswick. "We're not really asking anyone to do anything, it's just going forward." Criswick and Johnston are holding a festival in Perth, Ont., on Saturday.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Yes, You Can Still See The Milky Way In The Northeast — Here's Where
The Milky Way shines above the ocean off the coast of Acadia National Park in the early morning ... More hours of Monday, April 23, 2018. (Staff photo by Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) If you live in the northeast of the U.S. the chances are very high that you cannot see any but the brightest stars at night. It's estimated that about a third of the world's population cannot see the Milky Way because of light pollution. In the U.S., it's even worse; nearly 80% of Americans are unable to see the arc of light across the night sky. Wherever there are people, there is light. That might cause those in the densely populated and wetter regions of the U.S. — namely the northeast — to abandon the idea of stargazing altogether. Yet a glance at a light pollution map reveals some remaining dark areas where, on a clear night, you will be able to see the Milky Way — one of nature's most sublime sights. Here are eight destinations in the northeast U.S. and Canada to go stargazing, from New York and Pennsylvania to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and just over the border in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Look on a light pollution map, and you'll see a circle of darkness in northern Pennsylvania, where it borders New York. This is Susquehannock State Forest, and Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, is in the middle of that. As a result, it has some of the darkest night skies the eastern U.S. has to offer. It also has a dedicated Astronomy Field (which requires booking in advance), as well as many other locations from which to stargaze. Here's an astrotourism adventure like no other. About 20 miles from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (just 3.5 hours on The CAT high-speed car ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine) is the Deep Sky Eye Observatory, where legally blind astronomer Tim Doucette will share his unique gift at the telescope (hint: his eyes see what only space telescopes can). There's an onside Nocturnal Sky Theatre as well as a Sky Cabin and Sky Bubbles to stay overnight in. It's North America's first Starlight Tourist Destination (issued by the UNESCO-backed Starlight Foundation). The Milky Way from Cherry Springs National Park. The darkest place in the entire region, according to light pollution maps, is the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. In Tupper Lake, west of Lake Placid, the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory has free stargazing and a roll-off roof observatory when skies are clear, with stargazing. It also has solar telescopes, an indoor planetarium and guest lectures. For stargazers, something exciting is happening in New Brunswick. Kist over the U.S. border, a Dark Sky corridor is taking shape along the dramatic Bay of Fundy coast, with New River Beach Provincial Park, Irving Nature Park, the charming St. Martins, Fundy Trail Provincial Park and Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park all now being certified for a Dark Sky status, filling in the gaps either side of the existing Fundy National Park Dark Sky Preserve. Cliff Valley Astronomy has tours, star parties and dark sky destinations. In light-polluted Massachusetts, it's difficult to find dark skies. If you stay on land, that is. Stellar Events organize stargazing cruises during which an astronomer uses a light pointer to reveal constellations, planets and star clusters from the top deck of the boat while far from land. Cruises go from Gloucester, Massachusetts and Sayville on Long Island, New York (and Galveston, Texas) from May through October. Katahdin Woods & Waters scenic byway along a field of blooming flowers (Photo by Gregory ... More Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) Maine is far and away the darkest state in the northeast U.S., but stargazers' favorite Acadia National Park no longer has particularly dark skies, thanks to nearby Bar Harbour. Instead, head to the more remote Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which was designated a precious International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020. Just east of Albany, New York, Grafton Lakes State Park holds astronomy events, including its monthly Full Moon Hike and a Star Party on Friday, May 23. Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will have telescopes and give tours of the night sky at the Deerfield Pavilion. (8:30-9:30 p.m. EDT). NYC is one of the most light-polluted cities in the world, but there remain some reliable places to go to see the brighter stars and solar system objects (planets and the moon are immune to light pollution). A great place to be during twilight is The High Line, the 1.5-mile-long elevated park built on the former New York Central Railroad in the city's Lower West Side. Stargazing is offered every Tuesday from sunset to 30 minutes before park closure between April and the end of October by The Amateur Astronomers Association. Other options in NYC include Central Park, Floyd Bennett Field, Great Kills Park, Harriman State Park and Columbia University's Pupin Hall, according to New York Family. Wishing you clear skies and eyes.
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Travel + Leisure
12-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the First U.S. County to Be Fully Dark Sky Certified—and It Just Added the World's First Dark Sky Airport
The night skies over Wyoming have seen some major milestones in recent weeks. In late April, Teton County—home to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Teton National Park, and part of Yellowstone National Park—made history as the first county in the world to be certified as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International. Just 10 days later, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) followed suit, becoming the first airport ever to earn the designation as an International Dark Sky Place, a recognition typically reserved for parks, preserves, and remote communities. But these "world's first" designations come as little surprise when you consider the data. Light pollution is the enemy of dark skies, and Teton County's small, low light-impact communities help keep night skies pristine. The town of Jackson, the county's largest population center, has just over 10,000 residents, while the tiny community of Kelly is home to only 254. Add to that the vast stretches of protected open space—including all of Grand Teton National Park, 40 percent of Yellowstone, parts of three U.S. National Forests, and the 24,700-acre National Elk Refuge—and it's clear why Teton County is leading the way in night sky conservation. Similarly, the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park, which incentivizes the airport to take care of the area's natural resources—dark skies included. 'JAC staff dedicated hundreds of hours to updating lighting fixtures and programming to adhere to responsible lighting practices," DarkSky International said in a release. "These measures will not only improve the stargazing experience, but they will also help protect the wildlife in Grand Teton National Park as well as surrounding areas that rely on the natural nocturnal environment to thrive.' The state's journey towards these dark sky designations started in 2013 when Wyoming Stargazing began hosting weekly public stargazing programs. 'The stars are literally etched into our DNA,' said Samuel Singer, the executive director of Wyoming Stargazing, in a press release. 'If dark night skies ever disappear, we will have lost a part of what it means to be human.' Teton County and Jackson Hole Airport's efforts to improve lighting policies not only improve the experience of every visitor that will come to its two national parks, but every creature living within them as well. 'This community commitment to ensuring future generations of park visitors and county residents all have access to the beauty Wyoming skies offer in the night is something we are all proud to be a part of,' said Chip Jenkins, a Grand Teton National Park superintendent, in a statement.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Auckland bird hospital wants public light displays dimmed
A native bird hospital in Auckland wants large public light displays such as the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower to be dimmed on cloudy nights to help prevent birds from becoming grounded. BirdCare Aotearoa cares for hundreds of injured and grounded seabirds each autumn, disorientated by city lights. The charity said although light pollution comes from across the city, large bright LED displays are a particular problem. Kate Newton reports.
