DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)[1] is a United States-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by founders
David Crawford, a professional
astronomer, and
Tim Hunter, a physician and amateur astronomer. The mission of DarkSky is "to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting."[2]
Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light shine into the eyes and
night sky. Direct light that shines into the eyes is called
glare, and light directed into the night sky above the
horizon causes
skyglow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it enters areas where unwanted (e.g. a neighbor's yard and windows). DarkSky was the first organization in the
dark-sky movement, and is currently the largest.
Principal approach
DarkSky's principal approach is to raise awareness about the value of dark, star-filled
night skies and encourage their protection and restoration through education about the problems and solutions, including outdoor
lighting practices that create less light pollution. In 2011, the organization had about 5,000 members in 70 countries.
To promote awareness about the issues, DarkSky has an International Dark Sky Places program that aims "to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education". There are currently five types of designation for International Dark Sky Places: [3]
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
International Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Reserves
International Dark Sky Communities
Urban Night Sky Places
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Sanctuaries as "the most remote (and often darkest) places in the world whose conservation state is most fragile".
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Parks as "publicly- or privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors".
IDA describes Dark Sky Reserves as "dark 'core' zones surrounded by a populated periphery where policy controls are enacted to protect the darkness of the core".
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Communities as "legally organized cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies".
DarkSky describes Urban Night Sky Places as "sites near or surrounded by large urban environs whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light at night, and that otherwise do not qualify for designation within any other International Dark Sky Places category".
To promote the use of responsible outdoor lighting that minimizes light pollution, DarkSky offers a Fixture Seal of Approval program. The program provides objective, third-party certification for lighting products that minimize glare, reduce light trespass, and do not pollute the night sky.[45]
DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)[1] is a United States-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by founders
David Crawford, a professional
astronomer, and
Tim Hunter, a physician and amateur astronomer. The mission of DarkSky is "to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting."[2]
Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light shine into the eyes and
night sky. Direct light that shines into the eyes is called
glare, and light directed into the night sky above the
horizon causes
skyglow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it enters areas where unwanted (e.g. a neighbor's yard and windows). DarkSky was the first organization in the
dark-sky movement, and is currently the largest.
Principal approach
DarkSky's principal approach is to raise awareness about the value of dark, star-filled
night skies and encourage their protection and restoration through education about the problems and solutions, including outdoor
lighting practices that create less light pollution. In 2011, the organization had about 5,000 members in 70 countries.
To promote awareness about the issues, DarkSky has an International Dark Sky Places program that aims "to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education". There are currently five types of designation for International Dark Sky Places: [3]
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
International Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Reserves
International Dark Sky Communities
Urban Night Sky Places
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Sanctuaries as "the most remote (and often darkest) places in the world whose conservation state is most fragile".
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Parks as "publicly- or privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors".
IDA describes Dark Sky Reserves as "dark 'core' zones surrounded by a populated periphery where policy controls are enacted to protect the darkness of the core".
DarkSky describes Dark Sky Communities as "legally organized cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies".
DarkSky describes Urban Night Sky Places as "sites near or surrounded by large urban environs whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light at night, and that otherwise do not qualify for designation within any other International Dark Sky Places category".
To promote the use of responsible outdoor lighting that minimizes light pollution, DarkSky offers a Fixture Seal of Approval program. The program provides objective, third-party certification for lighting products that minimize glare, reduce light trespass, and do not pollute the night sky.[45]