"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself."

 -Verlyn Klinkenborg, "Our Vanishing Night," National Geographic magazine, November 2008

Light Pollution Animation Now Available 

Send the message that light pollution can be avoided with these clever animated videos courtesy of www.need-less.org.uk  

Try your hand at lighting design! View the light pollution simulator here >>

GLOBE at Night is an annual 2-week campaign in March. People all over the world record the brightness of their night sky by counting stars in the constellation Orion. 

Learn more >>

Can You See the Stars? 

3–16 March

Dark Sky Updates ...

Chicago Area Conference: Manmade Light at Night -11 March 2010

Dr. Steven Lockley and IDA's own Pete Strasser will speak at the symposium sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting and Lewis University. Read more >>

King County, WA USA Passes Lighting Efficiency Legislation
Cost and energy efficiency, along with the reduction of unnecessary glare from outdoor lighting, is the goal of legislation unanimously adopted 08 March by the Metropolitan King County Council. Read  the Covington Reporter article >>

2010 Board of Directors Officers

IDA Board officer elections were held in February. Missouri legislative advocate Robert Wagner will helm the board in the office of president.  

Eureka Springs, Arkansas USA Unanimously Passes Lighting Ordinance

Congratulations and thanks to ES resident Sam Evans for promoting the ordinance to the city council. Read the  ordinance >>

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency Considers Reducing LED Light Intensities

Most commercial-use LED lights in Taiwan's metropolises have exceeded the international standard for luminous intensity and may cause damage to the eye, found a survey conducted by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administrati on recently. More from the China Post >>

Dan Brocious Leaves the BOD

 Board member Dan Brocious is stepping down after 17 years of dedicated service. Heartfelt thanks to Mr. Brocious, whose early efforts to raise awareness of light pollution have laid the groundwork for ongoing dark sky protection.

EnergyStar to Adopt Full Shielding Criteria for Outdoor LED Products

A report released by the U.S. Department of Energy on 08 October specified that LED exterior lighting fixtures must emit no light above 90 degrees to receive EnergyStar certification. Adoption of criteria that limits uplight for the growing field of LED fixtures will significantly reduce sky glow and curtail energy waste.  This proposal will go under final review, receiving official declaration in 4 to 6 weeks, according to Richard Karney, director of the program for the DOE.  See Department of Energy presentation >>

 IDA in the News ...

See IDA Section podcasts on the Multimedia Links Page.

Washington Post Spotlights DC Office

"Our message is simple," Parks said. "We want to create dialogues as to the negative effects of light pollution." Gregg MacDonald illuminates IDA's local and national action >>

Find Press Releases, Articles, Multimedia and More News >>

Light pollution:
Any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.

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Best Choice Lighting

Check out IDA's Distributor Page for vendors of a variety of sleek, innovative shielded fixtures that preserve the quality of the nighttime sky.

Fixture Seal of Approval Program >>

The Campaign for Dark Skies Releases Light Pollution Handbook

The British Astronomical Society's Campaign for Dark Skies has released a compact, informative handbook that thoughtfully covers all major issues of light pollution. Learn more or purchase a copy at the CfDS Web site.