Less than 100 years ago, everyone could look up and see a spectacular starry night sky. Now, millions of people around the world will never experience the Milky Way or the northern lights.

Monday marked the beginning of this year’s International Dark Sky Week (April 5–12.) A time when people are encouraged to refrain from using lights as much as possible. This will reduce light pollution which will give stargazers a better view of the night sky. 

According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), light pollution is increasing at a rate two times that of population growth, and 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky. 

This is causing not only brighter skies for residents but for those studying the stars and planets light-years away. 

The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, located in Priddis, has one of the largest telescopes in Canada and is a part of a global observing network. They often run into the negative impact of light pollution from neighbouring communities.

Education Specialist for the Observatory, Jennifer Howse says this pollution gets in the way of accurate readings.

Credits: NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Suomi NPP VIIRS data from Miguel Román, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

 "The function of a telescope is to collect light, so what we're hoping to do is collect light from an object that's perhaps 1000 light-years away, and not something that's from up the road. So too much light is very bad for the telescopes. It blinds the telescope. So the darker the sky, the more we can observe."

One of the main contributors in the foothills comes from Canada's fourth-largest city.

"Calgary, it turns out isn't a great neighbour for a few reasons. Our problem is that there's a lot of light pollution that comes from the city. Say if you're from Okotoks and if you look at North at about, you know say about 2:00 in the morning, there's a whole lot of skyglow still coming from Calgary."

She says it's a shame for those that were drawn to acreages for that reason. 

"Many people have moved our lives in these rural areas that's something that they really enjoy. Is dark skies. That's part of their rural lifestyle."

The Rothney Observatory has been working with local municipalities, including  Calgary, as well as developers to be smart when it comes to lighting their communities. She notes the residents of Priddis have been wonderful. Adding they are very aware of the work they do at the observatory and actively keep their lights low to avoid interference and light pollution. 

Howse adds she understands we live in a 24-hour society and simply getting rid of light isn't always the solution.

"People need to move around and people need to see at night. I understand all of that. It's about being smarter with light. We don't need to light up the sky, we need to light up the ground where we're walking and we're driving. So when you're putting in a light in your backyard, for example, think about what you really want to light. You don't want to light up the sky around your home, you want to light the ground around your home so that you can see where you're going."

There are a number of things individuals can do to reduce their impact on light pollution. 

Smart lighting can help not only the night sky but also your power bill. If you don't need a light on, turn it off. 

The interference of light pollution is not limited to astronomy. Experts from the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation area say light pollution has an impact on birds, bugs and bat populations as well as the quality of sleep in humans and animals alike. By raising awareness and using effective lighting, amateur and professional astronomers are hoping to help in the fight to reclaim the night.

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