Conservation, Protection & Eduction
Dark Skies start with you
We are DarkSky NOVA
The Northern Virginia Chapter of DarkSky International.
DarkSky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation.
We at DarkSky NOVA are dedicated to preserving the beauty of the nighttime environment and safeguarding communities from the negative impacts of light pollution through our education and outreach efforts about responsible, smart lighting.
Every Day Needs a Night
Photo credit: Eileen Kragie
DarkSky NOVA
Light pollution is growing at twice the rate of the population, doubling every 8 years and in some places scientists predict NO stars will be visible in 20 years.
We live in one of those places.
Light pollution is the result of bad lighting: Unshielded, Misaimed, Too Bright, Too White, Too Many, On all Night!
Bad lighting is the result of human behavior and that behavior can be changed.
Learn how to use smart lighting.
Virginia has the largest number of DarkSky International designated Dark Sky Parks of any state east of the Mississippi, and the Observatory at George Mason University is the largest on-campus observatory in the mid-Atlantic region. Coming soon, Observatory Park at Turner Farm in Great Falls will join DarkSky International’s prestigious list of dark sky sites.
Artificial light impacts more than simply the brightening night sky. It has directly measurable negative impacts on:
To protect the night and stop light pollution and light trespass follow the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Light at Night
Discover more dark sky places in Virginia here.
Milky Way summer skies in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Skyglow above Montebello, Virginia August 2024
Photo credit: Peter Forister Photography
SCIENCE
VOLUME 380|
ISSUE 6650|
16 JUN 2023
COVER A wild little penguin (Eudyptula minor) stands silhouetted against the city of Melbourne, Australia. Visible direct light sources include buildings, streetlights, and vehicle headlights, and scattered light causes the sky to glow unnaturally bright. Increasing levels of light pollution are having adverse effects on humans and the natural world. See the special section beginning on page 1116.
Photo: Doug Gimesy
Too often, outdoor lighting installations at night are overlit, left on when not needed, and harmful to the environment.
As a result, light pollution is a growing global issue that can negatively affect our environment and impact our quality of life. DarkSky and the Illuminating Engineering Society jointly published the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting to prevent and reduce light pollution through the proper application of quality outdoor lighting.
By applying these principles, properly designed lighting at night can be beautiful, healthy, and functional. Projects , businesses and homes that incorporate these principles will save energy and money, reduce light pollution, minimize wildlife disruption, and protect human health.
Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting
Light where you need it, when you need it, in the amount needed, and no more. If light is deemed useful and necessary, follow these guidelines to prevent, or when that’s not possible, minimize light pollution.
Read more about how light affects the surrounding environment when applying the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Thank you DarkSky LA County!
George Mason University Observatory The Tower Photo credit: Eileen Kragie
Starry skies are a vanishing treasure because light pollution is washing away our view of the cosmos. It not only threatens astronomy but also disrupts wildlife and affects human health. The glows over cities and towns — seen so clearly from space — are testament to the billions of dollars spent in wasted energy by lighting up the sky.
Losing the Dark is a short planetarium show and video on light pollution, available as a free download in 23 languages.
Take Action
What can we do about light pollution?
Adhering to responsible lighting practices, enacting legislation supportive of dark skies, and promoting scientific research are among the avenues to address light pollution. Your participation can also make a difference!
Be responsible with your lights.
Model the responsible outdoor light at night principles in your neighborhood and your community
Why protect the night?
Our fellow chapter DarkSky Texas has answered that question for all of us here
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself. Join DarkSky NOVA!
Photo credit: Denis Degioanni
DarkSky NOVA, a chapter of DarkSky International
Discover DarkSky International
(formerly known as the International Dark Sky Association)
click on the logo stars
