Today the International Dark-Sky Association released lighting guidelines for electronic messaging centers (EMCs). The guidelines, developed in line with Illuminating Engineering Society’s off-roadway sign recommendations, are the culmination of a two-year IDA process to address… Read more
IDA Urges Decision-Makers in China Consider Cost-Effective Alternatives to “Artificial Moon”
According to recent media reports, China’s Chengdu, a city in the Sichuan province, has announced plans for an experimental “artificial moon” to be launched in 2020, with two additional satellite launches slated for 2022. The… Read more
Texas Collaboration Protects Dark Skies
The western part of Texas is home to one of the largest oil and gas producing regions in the US, the Permian Basin. Also located in this area is the McDonald Observatory, home of the… Read more
Kanab, Utah Preserves View of the Stars with Outdoor Lighting Ordinance
On June 26, 2018, after a two-year citizen-led effort, the Kanab City Council enacted an outdoor lighting ordinance to protect the natural darkness that makes Kane County, Utah, a great place to see stars. Residents… Read more
How Light Pollution Affects the Pennsylvanian Ecosystem
By guest writer, Craig Campbell As little as 100 years ago, it was possible to look up in the sky at night and see millions of stars spread across the Milky Way. Now, there are… Read more
Call for Abstracts for the 2018 Annual General Meeting
Looking Up! 30-Years of Dark Sky Advocacy IDA’s 30th Annual General Meeting November 9-11, 2018 | Snowbird, Utah The International Dark-Sky Association is pleased to invite you to the 30th Annual General Meeting which will… Read more
Can Salmon Help Save the Night Sky?
“Salmon could help save the night sky,” says Jack Sales, Chapter leader of IDA California. Sales is concerned about many environmental issues near Sacramento, including the decline of salmon populations. Sales says that learning about… Read more
IDA Announces Criteria for Community-Friendly Outdoor Sports Lighting
IDA’s mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible lighting. The need for environmentally responsible outdoor lighting that balances the human need for light with… Read more
Call for New Members for the International Dark-Sky Association Technical Committee
The International Dark-Sky Association Technical Committee provides guidance to the IDA Board, Executive Director, and staff on policies and guidelines related to outdoor lighting practices. This highly skilled team of lighting specialists and environmental scientists… Read more
West Nile Virus Infectious Longer in Birds Exposed to Artificial Light at Night
Artificial light at night doesn’t just affect our ability to see the stars — it also impacts complex ecological interactions and disease transmission factors, with the potential to have profound effects on human health. What… Read more