What can you do to save the beauty of our night skies?
- Read the NM Night Sky Protection Act
- Peter Lipscomb’s “Six Easy Steps to Bring Back the Stars” – printable format
- Schedule a Star Party – a telescope party in your own backyard with the Capital City Astronomy Club – Call us at 505-989-7019 to schedule
- Contact Us for more information
Fun links to learn more about the Stars and how to protect them
Wikisky – a detailed interactive Star Map
Google Sky – includes a number of ways to explore the night sky
International Dark Skies Association
National Park Service Night Sky Team
Del Mar Fans & Lighting – a great resource on causes and types of light pollution
Light Pollution Articles
Kevin Hatan – July 18, 2017. Understanding Light Pollution: Its Environmental Impact and Human Health Implications
Nelson A 2012. Light Pollution: Effect On Humans and Energy Efficient Solutions
Spivey A 2010. Light at Night and Breast Cancer Risk Worldwide. Environ Health Perspect 118:a525-a525. doi:10.1289/ehp.118-a525
Chepesiuk R 2009. Missing the Dark- Health Effects of Light Pollution. Environ Health Perspect 117:A20-A27. doi:10.1289/ehp.117-a20
The detrimental effect of bad lighting is now so serious that the American Medical Association has called for a national effort on light pollution, stating that “many species (including humans) need darkness to survive and thrive” [PDF]. The AMA also states:
“Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers.”
