International Dark-Sky Association
Encyclopedia
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization
incorporated in 1988 by founders Dr. David Crawford, a professional astronomer, and Dr. Timothy Hunter
, a medical doctor/amateur astronomer. The mission of the IDA is "to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting." Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to be directed into your eyes and the night sky. Light that shines into your eyes is called glare and light shining into the night sky above the horizon causes sky glow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it is directed into areas that it is not wanted, i.e. neighbors yard and windows. IDA was the first organization in the dark-sky movement
, and is currently the largest.
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.
Among many concerns, IDA and related organizations are collating research on light at night's (LAN) effects on human health and ecology as a result of artificial light at night. The hypothesis is that humans have evolved over millennia exposed to roughly equal periods of light and dark. The disruption of this circadian cycle disrupts hormonal balances in all living organisms. In the last century, artificial lighting has reduced the regular period of darkness and may negatively impact health. Light at night has been linked to increased incidence of hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
incorporated in 1988 by founders Dr. David Crawford, a professional astronomer, and Dr. Timothy Hunter
Tim Hunter (astronomer)
Timothy B. Hunter, better known as Tim Hunter, is an American radiologist and amateur astronomer.- Education and profession :Tim Hunter received his M.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1968. He teaches as a professor of radiology and orthopaedic surgery at the University of Arizona College...
, a medical doctor/amateur astronomer. The mission of the IDA is "to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting." Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to be directed into your eyes and the night sky. Light that shines into your eyes is called glare and light shining into the night sky above the horizon causes sky glow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it is directed into areas that it is not wanted, i.e. neighbors yard and windows. IDA was the first organization in the dark-sky movement
Dark-sky movement
The dark-sky movement is a campaign by people who want to reduce light pollution so people can see the stars, to reduce the effects of unnatural lighting on the environment, and to cut down on energy usage....
, and is currently the largest.
Principal approach
IDA's principal approach is to raise awareness about the value of dark, star-filled night skiesNight sky
The term night sky refers to the sky as seen at night. The term is usually associated with astronomy, with reference to views of celestial bodies such as stars, the Moon, and planets that become visible on a clear night after the Sun has set. Natural light sources in a night sky include moonlight,...
and encourage their protection and restoration through education about the problems and solutions, including outdoor lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
practices that create less light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
. In 2011, the organization had about 5,000 members in 70 countries.
Among many concerns, IDA and related organizations are collating research on light at night's (LAN) effects on human health and ecology as a result of artificial light at night. The hypothesis is that humans have evolved over millennia exposed to roughly equal periods of light and dark. The disruption of this circadian cycle disrupts hormonal balances in all living organisms. In the last century, artificial lighting has reduced the regular period of darkness and may negatively impact health. Light at night has been linked to increased incidence of hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
International Dark-Sky Places
To promote awareness about the issues, the IDA has an International Dark-Sky Places program, to recognize locations showing "exceptional commitment to and success in implementing the ideals of dark sky preservation and restoration."- In October 2001, the IDA named Flagstaff, ArizonaFlagstaff, ArizonaFlagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
the first International Dark-Sky Community (IDSC). - In April 2007, Natural Bridges National MonumentNatural Bridges National MonumentNatural Bridges National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located about north west of the Four Corners boundary of southeast Utah, in the western United States, at the junction of White Canyon and Armstrong Canyon, part of the Colorado River drainage...
in remote southeast UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States, was named the first International Dark-Sky Park (IDSP). - In September 2007, the first International Dark-Sky Reserve (IDSR) was designated in the region surrounding Mont-Mégantic National ParkMont-Mégantic National ParkMont-Mégantic National Park is a national park of Quebec, Canada. It lies on the border between Le Haut-Saint-François Regional County Municipality and Le Granit Regional County Municipality, about 60 km east of the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec.-External links:* - official site in English...
in Quebec, Canada. - In July 2009, Borrego Springs, CaliforniaBorrego Springs, CaliforniaBorrego Springs is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. The population was 3,429 at the 2010 census, up from 2,535 at the 2000 census. Many residents are seasonal while others remain year round...
was designated the second International Dark-Sky Community in the world, and the first in California. - On 16 November 2009, Zselic Natural Reserve in Hungary and Galloway Forest ParkGalloway Forest ParkGalloway Forest Park is a woodland park in Scotland, principally covering woodland in Dumfries and Galloway. It is operated by Forestry Commission Scotland....
in the United Kingdom were officially awarded as the first Dark Sky Parks in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. - In January 2011 the island of SarkSarkSark is a small island in the Channel Islands in southwestern English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. It is a royal fief, geographically located in the Channel Islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament. It has a population...
, in the Channel IslandsChannel IslandsThe Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
, was designated a Dark Sky Island, the first inhabited area in Europe to achieve a Dark Sky award.
See also
- Bortle Dark-Sky ScaleBortle Dark-Sky ScaleThe Bortle Dark-Sky Scale is a nine-level numeric scale that measures the night sky's and stars' brightness of a particular location. It quantifies the astronomical observability of celestial objects and the interference caused by light pollution and skyglow. John E...
- Campaign for Dark SkiesCampaign for Dark SkiesThe Campaign for Dark Skies is the United Kingdom's biggest anti-light-pollution campaign group.It is part of the British Astronomical Association and affiliated with the International Dark-Sky Association , and composed of a network of who try to improve lighting in their areas and advise...
(CfDS) - CieloBuioCieloBuioCieloBuio-coordinamento per la protezione del cielo notturno is a non-profit organization that operates in Italy for the protection of the night sky by promoting a culture of eco-friendly lighting and raising public awareness on the phenomenon of light pollution.Born in Lombardy in 1997 around a...
, an Italian coordination for the protection of the night sky - Dark-sky movementDark-sky movementThe dark-sky movement is a campaign by people who want to reduce light pollution so people can see the stars, to reduce the effects of unnatural lighting on the environment, and to cut down on energy usage....
- Light pollutionLight pollutionLight pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
- Sky brightnessSky brightnessThe fact that the sky is not completely dark at night can be easily observed. Were the sky absolutely dark, one would not be able to see the silhouette of an object against the sky....