The newly named T. K. Lawless International Dark Sky Park is seeking State of Michigan status as a dark sky preserve. The Michigan House of Representatives has passed a bill, which now goes to the State Senate.
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UM Faculty Pass Dark Sky Resolution
On Feb 17, 2020, the Faculty Senate Assembly unanimously passed Resolution 021720-3, encouraging the University of Michigan to adopt dark-sky best practices.
Fireflies face extinction due to light pollution
USA Today reports a new study that shows that fireflies are facing a triple extinction threat from habitat loss, artificial light and pesticide use.
New IDA Dark Sky Park in Michigan!
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in southwest Michigan has been designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association! Together with Headlands, our state now has two IDA Dark Sky Parks and six state-designated dark sky reserves.
New Detroit sign ordinance to release flood of digital billboards
Detroit is positioned to adopt a new sign ordinance that would blanket the city with out-of-control digital signs and billboards. It will permit new electronic and video signage in almost every corner of the city, flooding the skies with light. Learn more and register your disapproval via Scenic Michigan’s campaign.
AAS Working Group on Satellite Constellations
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Public Policy staff worked with the AAS Committee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference, and Space Debris to form a working group meant to interface between the astronomical scientific community and SpaceX. The working group includes UM’s Pat Seitzer.
LSST threatened by SpaceX satellites
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, the next major US ground-based astronomical infrastructure project, may be compromised by SpaceX and other satellite swarms.
Light pollution causes decline of insects
Confirmed: Artificial light at night may be responsible for collapse of insect populations: Light pollution is key ‘bringer of insect apocalypse’
Blue light may accelerate aging
Daily exposure to blue light may accelerate aging, even if it doesn’t reach your eyes, study suggests. This includes light from LEDs and electronic devices.
Good vs Bad LED streetlights
Flagstaff, AZ has found options for LED streetlights that minimize the blue-rich color component: How Flagstaff, Arizona, switched to LEDs without giving astronomers a headache.