International Dark Sky Week

Published: 7th May, 2022

Context

Astronomers and sky enthusiasts marked the 2022 International Dark Sky Week from April 22-30.

About

What is the International Dark Sky Week?

The International Dark Sky Week is an annual event hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
International Dark Sky Week provides a wonderful opportunity for people to discover value and beauty in the dark.
It’s a great time to connect with the night and learn about what is at stake if light pollution continues to increase.
The event aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of light pollution and celebrate the night sky.
According to IDA, outdoor artificial lighting at night can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block views of the universe — when used indiscriminately.
Light pollution is increasing at twice the rate of population growth and 83% of the world’s population lives under the light-polluted sky

International Dark-Sky Association (IDA):

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is the recognized authority on light pollution and is the leading organization combating light pollution worldwide.
Vision: The night sky, filled with stars, is celebrated and protected around the world as a shared heritage benefitting all living things.
Purpose: To protect the night from light pollution.

What is Light Pollution?

The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light – known as light pollution – can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate.
Components of light pollution include:
Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
Skyglow– brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas
Light trespass– light falling where it is not intended or needed
Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization.
Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.

How bad is Light Pollution?

With much of the Earth’s population living under light-polluted skies, over lighting is an international concern.
According to the 2016 groundbreaking “World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness,” 80 percent of the world’s population lives under skyglow.
In the United States and Europe 99 percent of the public can’t experience a natural night.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS