Globe at Night

The reduced contrast from a brighter night sky makes it harder to see the stars.

According to Globe at Night, an international citizen science campaign, the average night sky grew nearly 10% brighter each year from 2011 to 2022.

Tim Lawler, a physics professor at Penn State Brandywine says he knows why.

an unintended consequence of these new LED lights.

We need light to safely get around our houses and our neighbourhoods at night.

So what's the balance here? Well, this week you're being asked to go outside at night, look up and record what you see or maybe what you don't see as part of Globe at Night, which is an international citizen science project that maps light pollution.

But tell me now, have you noticed a change in the night sky where you live? Are there buildings or areas lit up that you don't think need to be? I'm keen to hear if you still have a good view of the night sky or if that little twinkle of stars is getting harder to see.

And here with me is Marnie Ogg, director and founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.

So those warmer lights, the one that feels quite cozy, they don't spread as far as the really harsh, high Kelvin blue lights.

So yeah, that's the kind of checklist of designing lights at home.

So, Marnie, the Globe at Night is an international citizen science campaign.

It's happening this week.