Try to imagine what the night sky looked like the day your great-grandmother was born. (Or maybe your great-great-grandmother, if you’re young.) Thomas Edison hadn’t yet invented the light bulb, so artificial light was limited to candles and oil lanterns. The night sky looked exactly as it had for millions of years, studded with planets, stars, the bright arch of the Milky Way, and the occasional meteor, comet, or aurora display.
But look up at night now, and what can you see? If you’re lucky, you might see some of these same features. But that wouldn’t be typical. These days, more than 80% of the people in North America can’t see the Milky Way from their home. And it’s getting worse. Worldwide, light pollution is increasing by about 2% per year. Here in the National Scenic Area, artificial light in the night sky increased 33% in the eight years between 2012-2020. Light pollution not only diminishes our view of the night sky, it also affects our health — and it harms other species as well. Fortunately, we can make a difference with the flick of a switch or the change of a bulb.
Next week is International Dark Sky Week (IDSW). All around the world, people will be celebrating the marvel of a natural night sky and the growing movement to reap the benefits of artificial light without incurring its harms.
And celebrating is appropriate, because progress is being made. DarkSky International (darksky.org) now has more than 70 chapters in 24 countries, and its Oregon chapter (darkskyoregon.org) has helped to certify the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world (2.5 million acres in southern Oregon), three International Dark Sky Parks, two International Dark Sky Communities, and an International Development of Distinction. More certifications are in the works. We Oregonians can be proud.
Closer to home, the Hood River City Council has just issued a proclamation supporting next week’s IDSW (to view, visit columbiagorgenews.com), and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a similar proclamation. The Dark Sky movement is growing.
Personally, you can celebrate IDSW in several ways. First, go outside at night and simply look up. The Lyrid meteor shower peaks the night of April 21, and you may “catch” some falling stars.
Second, notice your own outdoor lights. As an experiment, turn off every light, give your eyes time to adapt, and then look again at the night sky. You might decide to change some of your lights.
Third, spread the word about IDSW. Most people don’t even know there is an IDSW, much less when it occurs. Tell your friends, use social media, or if you’re a teacher, talk with your students.
Fourth, learn more about how light pollution affects our lives and those of other creatures. The Internet has lots of useful information, including these two fun, 30-second videos:
Finally, join in to help preserve our night skies. We mentioned DarkSky International and DarkSky Oregon, and we co-chair a local advocacy group (no cost, no commitment) named Dark Skies Gorge. We welcome you at Dark.Skies.Gorge@gmail.com.
In the meantime, as we like to say, let’s keep ourselves in the dark.
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Mike Hendricks, Hood River, and Mike McKeag, Mosier, are the founders and co-chairs of Dark Skies Gorge, which began in 2024. McKeag is also a DarkSky International Delegate, co-founder and board member of DarkSky Oregon, the Oregon chapter of DarkSky Interna-tional. Dark Skies Gorge is a local group affiliated with DarkSky Oregon, one of a growing number of local groups forming around the state.
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