• Home
  • Services
  • Staff
  • Resources
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Services
  • Staff
  • Resources
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact
DARK SKY CONSULTING, LLC
  • Home
  • Services
  • Staff
  • Resources
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact

Dark Sky Blog

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Airglow
    Astronomy
    Astrotourism
    Atmosphere
    Business
    Communications
    Conferences
    Conservation
    Crime
    CSR
    Culture
    Ecology
    Energy
    Environment
    Environmental Justice
    ESG
    Greenhouses
    Health
    Heritage
    Horticultural Lighting
    Human Health
    Legal
    Lighting Design
    Lighting Ordinances
    Lighting Policy
    Lighting Technology
    Light Pollution
    Night Sky
    Outdoor Lighting
    Psychology
    Public Lands
    Public Policy
    Public Safety
    Remote Sensing
    Renewables
    Research
    Resource Management
    Satellites
    Science
    Skyglow
    Snowglow
    Society
    Space
    Space Advertising
    Space Debris
    Sustainability
    United States
    Visibility
    Weather
    Wellbeing
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Back to Blog

International Dark Sky Week 2023

4/1/2023

 
Picture
Image credit: Fabrice Villard
483 words / 2-minute read
Every year, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) hosts International Dark Sky Week (IDSW). This is a weeklong event held during April that draws attention to the issue of light pollution, its harms and solutions. As it falls during Global Astronomy Month, IDSW is also a time to celebrate the night and the value of nighttime darkness. In 2023, IDSW takes place during the week of 15-22 April.

IDA is the world's foremost authority on light pollution and dark skies. Founded in Tucson, Arizona, in 1988, it aims to protect the night by educating the public about these issues. It also provides resources to those who want to improve outdoor lighting in their own communities.

"International Dark Sky Week is the time each year when we remind everyone about the value of protecting the night," said IDA's Director of Engagement, Bettymaya Foott. "It's fun and informative, and getting involved is easy."

The international community of dark-sky advocates celebrates the 20th anniversary of IDSW this year. A high school student named Jennifer Barlow of Midlothian, Virginia, originated the idea for an annual event in 2003. It began as "National Dark Sky Week" in the U.S., but the idea later spread to other countries. In the years since, organizations like the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical League and Sky & Telescope magazine have endorsed it.

"Most of us have forgotten the legacy of the night sky as it seems to fade away behind the blanket of light pollution," Barlow told Sky & Telescope in 2006. "The universe is an important part of our history that should not be forgotten."
Picture
Image credit: Hoang M. Nguyen
IDA took over the annual promotion of IDSW in the past decade. It now consists of daily programming and events held throughout the week. In this way, the approach sustains attention to the issue. IDA also offers opportunities for those who want to become more involved in advocacy around dark-skies issues locally. The activities reinforce the idea that everyone can do something meaningful to reduce the impacts of light pollution.

The timing of the week matches the period when the lunar phase is waning after last quarter. That means the early evening hours are free of moonlight interference. Organizers encourage participants to go outside and see the night sky from wherever they live.

IDSW activities offer something for everyone. Because of the favorable Moon phase, it's a good time to make citizen-science measurements for the Globe At Night program. Having a look at the exterior lighting on one's home using IDA's self-assessment guide can reveal potential improvements. And anyone can use the platform of website, magazine and newspaper letters to the editor to express their thoughts.

Local groups increasingly host events during IDSW, including public lectures, night walks, star parties and more. IDA maintains an events calendar listing the details. Participants can also follow along on social media by using and following the hashtags #IDSW2023, #DiscovertheNight and #DarkSkyWeek.
0 Comments
Read More

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Company

Services
Staff
​
Resources
​
Clients
Blog

Support

Terms of Use
​
Privacy policy

CONTACT

PMB 237
​9420 E. Golf Links Rd., Ste 108

​Tucson, AZ 85730-1317 USA
[email protected]
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2021-2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.