Scientific research into light pollution

June 29, 2015

Light at night and the various forms of light pollution have effects on people, nocturnal ecosystems, and more. Nighttime light and light pollution play a major role in this. There is a growing body of scientific research that measures and seeks to understand these effects.

On this page, you’ll find an overview of some of the research initiatives supported by DarkSky. You’ll also learn how night sky light and light pollution are being studied around the world. This will give you a better understanding of the latest scientific developments and insights.

Report

Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science

Every year, DarkSky publishes an annual report that summarizes the current scientific consensus on artificial light at night (ALAN) and light pollution. Nighttime light and light pollution are central themes in this report.

For this year's report, our team reviewed thousands of published papers, theses, and articles, including nearly 5,000 pieces of scientific literature included in the Artificial Light At Night Research Literature Database.

In addition, we work much like putting together a puzzle. We select the most relevant studies and carefully connect them to one another. This results in a clear and understandable summary that offers valuable insights.

Advocate Action Meeting: State of the Science 2024

Join John Barentine and the DarkSky team as we discuss key findings from this year’s report. This session will also take an in-depth look at night sky light and light pollution. In addition, experts will share new insights into the impact of artificial light on people and nature.

Light at night and various forms of light pollution have measurable effects on people, nocturnal ecosystems, and the environment. A growing body of scientific research is documenting these effects and helping us better understand them.

On this page, you’ll find an overview of some of the research projects supported by DarkSky. You’ll also learn more about the most important studies on night sky light and light pollution. This will give you a better understanding of their effects on people, nature, and nocturnal ecosystems.

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