by John Barentine Dark Sky Consulting, LLC To confront problems effectively, we must understand them. And to tackle the problem of light pollution around the world, we must become familiar with the knowns and the… Read more
Who Owns the Night Sky?
The following originally appeared as an article in Nightscape #106 (December 2021) written by Megan Eaves. To enjoy new issues of Nightscape all the time, become a member. In March 2020, as the world descended… Read more
Aparna Venkatesan to Present Keynote at 2021 Under One Sky Conference
We are pleased to announce that Aparna Venkatesan is a keynote speaker for the International Dark-Sky Association’s 2021 Under One Sky Conference. The virtual conference will take place across 24 hours from November 12-13. During… Read more
SATCON2 Workshop to Take Place in Mid-July
In early 2020, 40 experts came together to assess the impact of satellite constellations on astronomy and to consider possible mitigation solutions. They presented their findings for discussion at the SATCON1 workshop at the end of June… Read more
New Study Finds Satellites Contribute Significant Light Pollution To Night Skies
Scientists reported new research results today suggesting that artificial objects in orbit around the Earth are brightening night skies on our planet more than previously understood. The research, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of… Read more
Comprehensive Report on Satellite Constellations Finds that Astrophotography will be Severely Affected
By: Ruskin Hartley and John Barentine Last summer, a new phenomenon startled night-sky watchers everywhere: for the first few weeks of their operation, Starlink satellites appeared as a group of objects orbiting together, a bright… Read more
Satellite Megaconstellations and the Night Sky
If you’ve spent time looking at the sky in the last few months, you may have noticed an increase in the number of moving objects streaming across the night sky. You’re not imagining things. In… Read more
The Human Environment Includes Orbital Space
By Ruskin Hartley, Executive Director Protecting the night from light pollution for all living things requires bold action. Today, we call on the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and all who value the dark… Read more
IDA Responds to Satellite Megaconstellations
Mega constellations, also known as low earth-orbit (“LEO”) satellite constellations, are webs of networked satellites that orbit the Earth at altitudes of 2,000 km or less intended to provide global telecommunications services. The brightness and… Read more
Why do “Mega-constellations” Matter to the Dark Sky Community?
Mega constellations, also known as low earth-orbit (“LEO”) satellite constellations, are webs of networked satellites, which orbit the Earth at altitudes of 2,000 km or less. These webs of satellites are intended to offer uninterrupted… Read more