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Buglife, the insect charity, has a very interesting item by David Smith on COP14 and the recent report on the effects of light pollution on migratory species.
https://www.buglife.org.uk/blog/how-can-the-convention-on-the-conservation-of-migratory-species-help-reverse-invertebrate-declines/This is an interesting academic paper by a team from Exeter, which reports on a digital lighting simulation methodology in relation to the availability of dark corridors for light averse organisms. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0555
If I understand correctly, the LED better/worse? assessment is complicated depending upon geography of the environment under study. Apparently, the more even spread of LED luminaires (compared with HPS) provides fewer dark corridors. This is good for people but not so good for wildlife. Perhaps the rapid and widespread uptake of LED technology should not have taken place until the overall impacts were thoroughly understood?Steve Tonkin has been interviewed by the Journal of Biophilic Design (a very interesting publication). Subjects included Steve’s background, the dark sky reserves in the UK, the core mantra “Right Light, Right Place, Right Time”, the rarity of truly dark and clear skies, and the impact on wildlife and human health. Steve makes two very important points towards the end about light and social justice and the need for lighting to make people, particularly women, to feel safe. It is a masterclass in dark sky advocacy.
Right Light, Right Place, Right Time — Journal of Biophilic DesignIt is good to see this report in the Scotsman newspaper by an expert on the impact of satellites.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/space-race-why-we-need-to-be-custodians-of-the-cosmos-as-scotland-takes-giant-leap-4561675Many amateur astronomers are also interested in wildlife, plants and biosciences. Threats to biodiversity are perhaps the most worrisome aspect of light encroachment.
This item about moths from New Scientist shows how artificial light is forcing rapid evolution in short timeframes. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421950-city-moths-may-have-evolved-smaller-wings-due-to-light-pollution/Just in case you thought light pollution is harmless this item links it to increased risk of stroke.
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/03/25/bright-outdoor-light-at-night-may-increase-stroke-riskIn case you’ve not seen this important paper on increasing levels of light pollution. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7781
From the DSI AGM presentation I learned that it is reckoned that LP is doubling every eight years on a worldwide basis.This is a different approach to monitoring lighting.
https://lichter.nachtlicht-buehne.de/#l=12/52.33797/13.06382Thanks Howard. The claimed mechanism affecting chance of stroke to quote is: “Continuous exposure to artificial light at night can suppress production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. People with poor sleep, compared to good sleepers, are more likely to experience worse cardiovascular health over time”.
Am not sure the researchers have been able to prove a causative link. Their argument is a multi-step one with some doubt that one can link each of the steps directly. People who are exposed to a lot more light at night are leading a very different lifestyle to someone who lives the saying, “Early to bed, early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy…”
Richard
Space junk is a topic that needs attention.
https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6295/cleaning-up-the-cosmosReflectors in space could make solar farms on Earth work for longer every day. Is this a sensible idea?
https://www.space.com/reflectors-in-space-increase-solar-farm-capacity
Sensible or not it looks like it may be set to become a reality with a demo to be launched as early as next year
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/new-kind-of-satellite-could-damage-eyes/NOTE the forum is not attributing the quote correctly. It was from Howard’s post 621451 here
https://britastro.org/forums/topic/dark-skies-and-satellites-in-the-news/page/2#post-621451Hi Robin,
Yes, Reflect orbital have made an application to the FCC for permission to launch their first proof of concept satellite; Earendil-1. FCC File No: SAT-LOA-20250701-00129. If granted permission, they aim to launch early Q2 2026. The FCC will have a submission window for comments but as yet this is not open. I can provide you with further information on their application, a poster presentation on the light pollution impacts, and a paper they have published that gives a little more information on the impacts of their satellites if you wish.See also › Forums › General Discussion › IAU-CPS Satellite Observation Project, for information on a new project we are launching to track and report satellite brightness levels into the IAU-CPS SCORE database and raise awareness of the growing issue of satellite constellations.
Just an update on the above post regarding Reflect Orbital and the Earendil-1 prototype satellite.
Their application for launch is currently before the FCC. If you are not aware of Reflect Orbitals plans a very basic summary is that they intend to launch a satellite constellation that will provide “sunlight as a service” – basically large space mirrors that will sit in an orbital shell at 625 km. The purpose is to reflect sunlight onto the dark side of earth to provide near 24hr illumination on areas where subscriber’s to their service pay for it. These will track across the sky shining a beam of light on, for example a solar farm and its surrounding area. There is no clear method stated as to where this beam of light goes as the satellite reorientates onto its next target. This is of course a very short and simplistic overview of their project.
There are many impacts and risks to their proposal, the key ones for astronomy being the launch of intentionally bright satellites and the risk of retinal damage if you are unfortunate enough to be looking through a telescope or binoculars when one of these satellites passes directly into your FOV.There are of course other significant impacts on ecology, and atmospheric pollution, aviation and so on, and also its worth noting the US military have seen the potential applications and have gave the project financial resources to explore ‘novel uses’ of the technology.
I would like to encourage any and all within the BAA to have a look at this project and join in lodging objections to the FCC. I am happy to provide details as to how to do this, and you do not need to be a US citizen to lodge an objection. All objections are equally valid, whether from individuals or organisations.
Clear skies,
JimJames Verner
Director
Dark Sky UK
IAU-CPS Member
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