Dark Sky Research Articles

Our brightly‐lit future: Exploring the potential for astrotourism in Khajuraho (India)

The night skies have traditionally offered a means of navigation, symbolized the gods, and inspired architecture and creative planning. With the advent of urbanization and the consequent increase in artificial light at night (ALAN), humans have severed their connection with the skies. Some suggest that “astrotourism” may serve as a viable means of re‐establishing this relationship. While astrotourism is usually used for referring to activities that revolve around stargazing with “aided” or “naked” eyes, we highlight that there is scope to include exploration of historic monument ensembles and night‐time storytelling as a part of astrotourism. Focusing on Khajuraho, we further underscore that ALAN should be replaced with intelligent night lighting strategies to maximize the night‐time travel experience for those who take inspiration from the dark skies to reconstruct the historical significance of heritage. As we gradually revitalize our relations with the nocturnal environment, it is hoped that the night skies will infuse our social practices, creative imagination, and historical appreciation with a new vigour.

Remote sensing of light pollution in the Western Balkan countries

The article deals with the problem of light pollution in the area of the Western Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania). The survey presented in this article examines the radiance data obtained by remote sensing using the SUOMI satellite. The article shows the situation concerning light pollution between 2013 and 2021. It also makes an analysis of the changes in terms of light pollution by individual countries. The article also highlights the changes in the dark sky areas, which, with a specific set of measures to limit light pollution, could represent the future areas of the "Dark Sky" protected parks.

The legal challenge of universal dark skies protection. Some comments on opportunities and limitations

The legal challenge of universal dark skies protection. Some comments on opportunities and limitations

Conceptual design and performance optimization of a nighttime electrochemical system for electric power generation via radiative cooling

The conceptual design of a nighttime electrochemical system (NECS) based on radiative cooling for generating electrical power from dark night sky is proposed. Such a low temperature and passive device is capable of generating electricity during nighttime without active input of heat. A comprehensively theoretical model is developed to study its performance characteristics and parametric optimum design. The model predicts that an output power density larger than 2 W/m2 at 303.15 K is achievable, which is potentially more advantageous than that of previously proposed nighttime thermoelectric generator. The calculated results show that the heat convection conditions, optimized geometry structure, and the choice of selective radiative cooler play a critical role in improving the device performance. This work reveals the new concept of the NECS and provides important insights for the optimal designs of the NECS, thus paving a new way towards high-performance nighttime electric power generation.

Global water security: A shining star in the dark sky of achieving the sustainable development goals

The COVID-19 pandemic has already triggered global health, economic, and social crises, clouding the sky of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 to improve human lives while protecting nature. Water, vital for all forms of life, is essential to public health and human well-being and smooth the path of ending poverty through food and energy security. Hence, we argued that global water security can serve as a shining star to guide policymakers through the overwhelming task of achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, currently hindered by the coronavirus outbreak. To quickly attain global water security while taking the accelerators of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6 “Clean Water and Sanitation”) into account, this study proposed different water-related interventions. To successfully implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development after the coronavirus pandemic, we call for immediate and sustainable interventions to act rapidly towards achieving water security and SDG6 worldwide and support the constant battle against the ongoing fight with COVID-19 and prepare for possible future pandemics.

The wow effect and behavioral intentions of tourists to astrotourism experiences: Mediating effects of satisfaction

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to ascertain the effect of awe on tourist behavioral intentions for astrotourism destinations. Awe is theorized as a multi‐dimensional concept with both cognitive and affective elements. A behavioral model depicting the relationships among awe, tourist satisfaction and behavioral intentions is proposed and examined among 304 tourists to the Dark Sky Party Alqueva in Portugal. Using partial‐least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM), the results indicate that awe directly affects tourist satisfaction and indirectly affects behavioral intentions when mediated by tourist satisfaction. Theoretical and managerial implications are presented.

Ecopedagogy in action: An example of engaging and connecting | Making a case for ecopedagogical writing programs in Nepal

of English Language Learning at Utah Valley University (UVU) explored issues of sustainability and resource management in connection with Capitol Reef National Park, a three-hour drive away. Known for its geology and dark sky, Capitol Reef has a unique and delicately balanced desert ecosystem. Referring to the colorful rock layers, its name in Navajo translates to "Sleeping Rainbow." During a four-day trip taken every semester, students practiced sustainable habits, observing their low environmental impact firsthand. Since the park is without Internet or phone services, students also practiced being digitally disconnected.

Looking Up to the Stars. A Call for Action to Save New Zealand’s Dark Skies for Future Generations to Come

The rapid development of technology coupled with humanity’s desire to reach beyond terra firma, has resulted in more than 60 years of Outer Space activities. Although the exploration of space has provided many advantages and benefits to society so far, including vast, new information that has greatly added to our understanding of our planet and beyond, unfortunately, mankind’s footprint has negative aspects that need to be minimised as much as possible. In recent decades, a major worldwide problem has emerged in regard to the significant increase in light pollution from ground-based illuminations, as well as a lack of proper regulatory frameworks to mitigate the issue in order to protect the night sky and astronomical research. More recently, due to the escalating demand of air space for microsatellites and the rapid development of these new space technologies, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), a new problem has arisen connected to visual light pollution (VLP). New Zealand has been especially affected, as, because of its dark skies, it has the third highest number of astronomical observatories in the world. The aim of this research is to identify critical areas for broader investigation; an action plan to improve the impact of new technologies is urgently required, not only at a national level but also worldwide. This is crucial in order to preserve humanity’s right to access the night sky and to also enable continual professional and amateur night-time observations for the present and the future, as well as for New Zealand to become a Dark Sky Nation.

THE ROLE OF STATE MUFTI DEPARTMENT IN GENERATING NATIONAL ECONOMY THROUGH ISLAMIC ASTROTOURISM

Tourism based on astrofiqh or Islamic astrotourism is generally a recently developing sector in the whole world. Malaysia is no exception in advancing this sector to help generate national revenue. However, astrotourism is considered difficult to develop as Malaysia is said to be not quite ready to go toward that direction due to limited ability and resources. Thus, this research aims to identify the role of the State Mufti Department in developing the astrotourism sector in Malaysia. This research discusses astrotourism attraction available in Malaysia. The research approach is qualitative with case study design using document analysis and observation. Research results find that the State Mufti Department plays its role in developing the astrotourism sector through its own tourist attraction, involving a number of places in the respective States with historical, archaeological and astronomical elements, such as observatory, planetarium and dark sky area, besides organised programs on astronomy all year round. All these can be further developed and advanced to increase public awareness of astrofiqh, at once helping to increase national revenue through the programs and services provided.

Planning an International Dark-Sky Place in Aenos National Park, the first steps

This work describes the preparatory steps for the planning of a light pollution protected area in the form of an International Dark-Sky Park in Aenos National Park at the island of Kefalonia that refer to lighting and light pollution. In more detail, we identified and measured luminance, illuminance and spectrum of public lighting at the island of Kefalonia in areas that are adjacent to the National Park and may influence its operation as a Dark Sky Park. This procedure also includes identifying the luminaire types and light sources, judging their suitability, identifying malpractices and proposing changes. In general, many malpractices were identified both in old lighting installations as well as recent LED retrofits or new installations with more common ones being rich sources in blue light and use of non-cut off luminaires. Light pollution measurements were performed that prove that Aenos National Park has dark enough skies to meet requirements.

Can we illuminate our cities and (still) see the stars?

Could we enjoy starry skies in our cities again? Arguably yes. The actual number of visible stars will depend, among other factors, on the spatial density of the overall city light emissions. In this paper it is shown that reasonably dark skies could be achieved in urban settings, even at the center of large metropolitan areas, if the light emissions are kept within admissible levels and direct glare from the light sources is avoided. These results may support the adoption of science-informed, democratic public decisions on the use of light in our municipalities, with the goal of recovering the possibility of contemplating the night sky everywhere in our planet.
 

Satellite Observations Show Reductions in Light Emissions at International Dark Sky Places During 2012-2020

Hyde et al. previously examined the trends in light emission measured by satellite for 98 communities located in or near areas certified as “International Dark Sky Places” (IDSP), and did not find evidence of a difference in trends in comparison to 98 communities of similar size located further away. Here we re-examine the satellite dataset, making use of a newly available correction for the radiance of atmospheric airglow, and extending the analysis period by an additional two years. The new dataset is consistent with the hypothesis that light emissions tend to decrease in communities in or near certified IDSP (median value of -1.6% per year), and is in tension with the hypothesis that there is no difference between these communities and others located further away (median increase of +0.1% per year). While the null hypothesis of no difference in the certified regions still cannot be entirely ruled out (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test probability of 2.5%), it appears likely that IDSP certification is associated with changes in light emissions.

Can we turn off the lights?

Abstract Hannah Dalgleish reports from a workshop that discussed the widespread effects of light pollution – and how to bring back dark skies

Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity. By Daniel Deudney. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. 464p. $34.95 cloth.

Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity. By Daniel Deudney. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. 464p. $34.95 cloth.

Air pollution mitigation can reduce the brightness of the night sky in and near cities

Light pollution is a novel environmental problem whose extent and severity are rapidly increasing. Among other concerns, it threatens global biodiversity, nocturnal animal migration, and the integrity of the ground-based astronomy research enterprise. The most familiar manifestation of light pollution is skyglow, the result of the interplay of outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) and atmospheric scattering that obscures views of naturally dark night skies. Interventions to reduce night sky brightness (NSB) involving the adoption of modern lighting technologies are expected to yield the greatest positive environmental consequences, but other aspects of the problem have not been fully explored as bases for public policies aimed at reducing light pollution. Here we show that reducing air pollution, specifically aerosols, decreases NSB by tens of percent at relatively small distances from light sources. Cleaner city air lowers aerosol optical depth and darkens night skies, particularly in directions toward light sources, due to relatively short path lengths traversed by photons from source to observer. A field experiment demonstrating the expected changes when transitioning from conditions of elevated turbidity to cleaner air validated our hypothesis. Our results suggest new policy actions to augment and enhance existing light pollution reduction techniques targeting lighting technology and design.

Using ground-based measurements to recover the spectra of radiation escaping from distant light-pollution sources

ABSTRACT A professional dark sky assessment normally requires the numerical modelling of light propagation from ground-based sources into the atmosphere. The spectral power distribution (SPD) of light escaping from an artificial source is one of the key parameters needed in predicting models to simulate the optical signatures of the night sky as a function of distance. SPD at zero distance is due to a non-trivial superposition of light beams, but does not necessarily coincide with the weighted SPD of individual lights. This is because most photons can be removed by obstacles or can interact with many surfaces before being directed into the atmosphere. We have developed an experimental and theoretical method for obtaining the initial SPD from ground-based spectroscopy of the night sky. The method is applicable to distant sources of light and is demonstrated in field measurements conducted on the light dome of Chicago with a new sky glow spectrometer. We show that the method requires analysing the relative impact of local light sources scattered around the measuring site on the radiance of the light dome. Our theoretical method along with ground-based spectroscopy represents a new approach to characterizing light-pollution sources which are otherwise difficult to study due to lack of information on either light-source inventory or a heterogeneous 3D structure of light-emitting and blocking environments.

Ecofeminism and Structural Violence

Ecofeminism and Structural Violence

Curbing the Pollution of the Night: The Problem of Light Pollution

One of the least discussed aspects of environmental law is light pollution. Air and water contamination are issues that have been addressed by laws at the federal and state levels but far less attention has been given to the issues of illumination which can have deleterious effects not only on human health but also on the ability to view the night sky. Some states have passed “Dark Skies” laws to remedy these problems.

COVID Challenges and Adaptations Among Home-Based Primary Care Practices: Lessons for an Ongoing Pandemic from a National Survey

ObjectivesApproximately 7.5 million US adults are homebound or have difficulty accessing office-based primary care. Home-based primary care (HBPC) provides such patients access to longitudinal medical care at home. The purpose of this study was to describe the challenges and adaptations by HBPC practices made during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. DesignMixed-methods national survey. Setting and ParticipantsHBPC practices identified as members of the American Academy of Homecare Medicine (AAHCM) or participants of Home-Centered Care Institute (HCCI) training programs. MethodsOnline survey regarding practice responses to COVID-19 surges, COVID-19 testing, the use of telemedicine, practice challenges due to COVID-19, and adaptations to address these challenges. Descriptive statistics and t tests described frequency distributions of nominal and categorical data; qualitative content analysis was used to summarize responses to the open-ended questions. ResultsSeventy-nine practices across 29 states were included in the final analyses. Eighty-five percent of practices continued to provide in-person care and nearly half cared for COVID-19 patients. Most practices pivoted to new use of video visits (76.3%). The most common challenges were as follows: patient lack of familiarity with telemedicine (81.9%), patient anxiety (77.8%), clinician anxiety (69.4%), technical difficulties reaching patients (66.7%), and supply shortages including masks, gown, and disinfecting materials (55.6%). Top adaptive strategies included using telemedicine (95.8%), reducing in-person visits (81.9%), providing resources for patients (52.8%), and staff training in PPE use and COVID testing (52.8%). Conclusions and ImplicationsHBPC practices experienced a wide array of COVID-19–related challenges. Most continued to see patients in the home, augmented visits with telemedicine and creatively adapted to the challenges. An increased recognition of the need for in-home care by health systems who observed its critical role in caring for fragile older adults may serve as a silver lining to the otherwise dark sky of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BVRcIc Observations, Third-body Orbital Study, and Analysis of the UV Leo-type, Pre-W UMA Binary V642 Virginis

Abstract V642 Vir is a polar spotted, well-detached, UV Leo-type, low-mass, pre-WUMa (T1 ∼ 4250K, ∼K6V) eclipsing binary. It was observed in 2020 April, May, and June at the Dark Sky Observatory in North Carolina, USA with the 0.81 m reflector of Appalachian State University. A total of 88 timings were used in our 22-year period study which included 12 Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) timings. The O − C plots show a low-amplitude oscillation of residuals that points to the existence of an orbiting third body, a dwarf of minimum mass, 0.15 M ⊙ in an eccentric orbit (e = 0.41), with an orbital period of 20.07 yr. The odd light curves of V642 Virginis indicate that it has polar spots similar to UV Leo and the recently published V1023 Per. Its present large polar spot region indicates that it must have a strong magnetic field and that it is synchronously rotating. The BVRcIc simultaneous Wilson–Devinney Program solution gives a detached binary (primary and secondary components are underfilling their respective Roche Lobes, with 76% and 78% fill outs respectively). The cool spot region models near the pole of the primary component (centered at 10° colatitude) and is angled toward the secondary component. Its large radius (68°) and T-fact (Tspot/Tsurface = 0.69) also attest to the conclusion of the strength of the magnetic field. The small ΔT in the components (∼318 K) and mass ratio near unity (0.9542 ± 0.0005) show that the stars are similar in spectral type (secondary ∼K9V). The inclination is high, ∼86.87 ± 0.04°, yet there is no time of constant light due to the two stars’ essentially equal radii.