Dark Sky Lighting

# Why Dark Sky Lighting? — Saving Our Stars Source: [https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting) [Why Dark Sky Lighting](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#whydarkskylighting)[Safety](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#safety)[Health](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#health)[Wildlife](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#wildlife)[Rest](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#rest)[Planet](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#planet)[Stars](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#stars)[Hope](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#hope)[What is Dark Sky Lighting?](https://www.savingourstars.org/darkskylighting#whatisdarkskylighting) SCROLL DOWN ## Why Dark Sky Lighting  ## Safety ## Safety ## Safety *Dark\-sky lighting still gives us light**but in a safer way while also greatly reducing the scope and distance*[*light pollution*](http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org/dark-sky-solutions/dark-sky-solutions-2/light-pollution-the-problem/)*travels*\.*It's the solution to light pollution\!* It reduces dangerous[disability glare](http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/glare.asp)for drivers and pedestrians \(have you ever been blinded by a car with white headlights?\)\.*Too much*light[\(](http://theconversation.com/american-medical-association-warns-of-health-and-safety-problems-from-white-led-streetlights-61191)[e](http://theconversation.com/american-medical-association-warns-of-health-and-safety-problems-from-white-led-streetlights-61191)[specially if it's white\)](http://theconversation.com/american-medical-association-warns-of-health-and-safety-problems-from-white-led-streetlights-61191)can make it harder to see and makes us less safe by creating harsh shadows and giving criminals a place to hide\.[Brighter does not mean safer\.](http://www.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/Safety-Brochure_FINAL2_33.pdf)In England and Wales,[an extensive study](http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0715/290715-switching-off-street-lighting)analyzing over 14 years of data from 62 authorities found little evidence of an increase in traffic accidents or crime after reduced lighting\.  ## Health ## Health ## Health Darkness beneficially affects our circadian rhythm, which controls our hormones, sleep cycles and even our organs and immune systems\. Blue light at night*\(from white LEDs, smart phones, etc\.\)*, can possibly[harm your health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side)and contribute to insomnia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc \(see[Dark Sky Resources](http://savingourstars.org/darkskyresources)for tips\)\. For good health, we need sunshine, but[we also need exposure to darkness\.](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117447&page=1)  ## Wildlife ## Wildlife  ## Rest ## Rest ## Rest Nighttime is a time to rest\. Amber dark\-sky lighting utilizes colors that more closely resemble sunsets and candlelight rather than white colors that many find too bright and unpleasant at night\-\-not to mention the[possible disturbance to sleep\!](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451994416300128)The town of[Davis, CA put up a fight](http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2014/10/21/davis-will-spend-350000-to-replace-led-lights-after-neighbor-complaints/)after their streetlights were replaced with white LEDs, and they won\!  ## Planet ## Planet  ## Stars ## Stars ## Our Stars What you'll notice most about light pollution is that it makes our stars disappear from view\. Dark skies, places where you can truly see the awe\-inspiring, ancient, sacred skies and stars our ancestors saw, are dwindling\. This is due to rapidly growing light pollution and especially the current problem of[blue\-Rich White LEDs](http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/conservation/led-streetlights-are-giving-neighborhoods-the-blues)replacing older streetlights\. Please[contact your city/county officials](http://savingourstars.org/sampleletters)to make sure these lights aren't coming to your streets\.\.\.*before it's too late\!*  ## Hope ## Hope  ## What is Dark Sky Lighting? ## What is Dark Sky Lighting? ## What*is*Dark\-Sky Lighting? · It's simply a way of lighting that helps keep the sky dark by[***fully shielding***](http://www.darksky.org/lighting/lighting-basics/)**the light bulb on the top and sides**so the light is directed*down*rather than to the sides and up to the sky, which creates glare, excess light and hides our stars\. \(Skip to 4:50 of "Losing the Dark," below, to see this demonstrated\)\. See[photo examples](http://darkskyarkansas.com/learn/responsible-lighting-3/)\. · It is**amber in color**instead of blue, green or white\.[*Amber LEDs are a better choice than warm white or low CCT white LEDS*](http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org/for-wonks/lamp-spectrum-light-pollution/)*\. However, choose warm white or low CCT \(2700 kelvin or less\) over a higher kelvin white LED\. Find amber LED sources*[*here\.*](http://savingourstars.org/amberleds)For further understanding, please see[Dark\-Sky Resources](http://www.savingourstars.org/darkskyresources)\. · It is**dimmed**and no brighter than necessary, is only used where or when needed, and often uses timers or motion detectors\. *This solution to light pollution began with*[*Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition*](http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org/international-dark-sky-city/flagstaffs-battle-for-dark-skies/)*, when in the 1950s, they realized the necessity of protecting their dark skies, and they now have the darkest skies of probably any illuminated city you will find\. They use mostly \**[*amber*](https://www.energynews.es/en/the-municipality-of-artenara-achieves-energy-saving-by-67-with-the-pc-amber-led-technology/)*\* dark\-sky lighting, and it's now*[*widely available*](http://www.darksky.org/fsa/)*\-\-people just need to know about it\.* *Thank you for reading\! I appreciate you\! As you can see, with amber dark\-sky lighting, we all win\! It's widely available and affordable\. We don't have to settle for white LED streetlights and commercial lighting when there are*[***amber LEDs***](http://savingourstars.org/darkskyresources)*that are affordable, efficient, and practical\.****We just need to stand together as a society \(as we did with limiting cigarette smoking in public areas of the U\.S\.\)****and let our towns know we want it\!* *Please take 2 minutes to watch the beautiful trailer of "*[*Saving the Dark*](http://savingthedark.com/)*" by Sriram Murali, below, which perfectly states what I wish all people knew\-\-that****we******\*can\* reclaim our night sky\!****It will take all of us speaking up to our cities, asking for****amber dark\-sky lighting****, and we must act fast, as new, even worse lighting,*[*white LEDs*](http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org/led-lighting-dark-skies/)*, are currently being chosen\.* *Here, you will find a variety of*[***sample letters***](http://savingourstars.org/sampleletters)*, and please see*[***How to Help***](http://savingourstars.org/howtohelp)*for the most powerful things you can do to help reduce light pollution\. We can do it, but to win this battle, we must all work together\!* *Sarah* *Saving Our Stars* *Disclaimer: The views about the nature of the universe expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the views of Saving Our Stars\.* ***Note: These are not affiliate links\. I do not work for these companies or earn a commission, and Saving Our Stars does not receive sponsorship funds\.***