Light pollution is unintended illumination and intensity from artificial lights, causing light trespass, glare, and sky glow. This fundamentally alters the natural night environment, disrupting the ecosystem and inhibiting our view of the majestic night sky. Artificial light at night (ALAN) negatively affects human health, and can even cause safety problems.
Our group raises public awareness and advocates for environmentally aware lighting in Michigan that promotes human health and safety, eliminates wasted energy, and restores the ecosystem.
We are a collaboration of astronomers, bird watchers, environmentalists, academics, and Michigan residents. We are based at the University of Michigan, but our group is open to all and includes concerned citizens in Washtenaw County and elsewhere. If you are a concerned citizen, join our cause! To join Michigan Dark Skies, contact dark-sky-group-requests@umich.edu.
Not yet convinced? These pages offer some basics. To get started:
- Let There Be Starlight: Light Pollution a Glaring Problem in Michigan, Detroit Free Press, March 4, 2017
- On the Hunt for Stars: In Search of a Truly Dark Night Sky, Sierra, Feb 27, 2018
- Light pollution, The Green Room, CTN Ann Arbor community TV, Oct 11, 2017
- Starlight, Streetlight, What Can I See Tonight?, The Green Room, WEMU radio, Sept 29, 2017
DarkSky International (or International Dark-Sky Association) provides a wealth of information about light pollution and practical information about how to prevent it.
If you’re looking for DarkSky Michigan, you can find their site here.
