LOUDOUN H
light pollution in Virginia and nearby states appears in orange ; dark skies are shown in black .
Credit : Jurij Stare www . lightpollutionmap . info with NASA ’ s Black Marble nighttime lights product .
The Milky Way arches over Sky Meadows State Park above encroaching suburban lights .
so that the light goes where it is needed , and nowhere else . Third , the light should be no brighter than necessary . Fourth , when is the light needed ? A security light on a motion sensor is far more effective than one that is on all the time , and an empty sports field doesn ’ t need to be lit . Finally , light should be warm in color , rather than white or even blue , which is especially harmful to humans and animals . The American Medical Association notes that glare from blue lighting is especially intrusive for older drivers , causing safety
Photo : Rex Robichaux courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation
hazards . Light color is measured in Kelvin , and dark sky best practices recommend choosing lights at 2200 Kelvin and below to minimize the amount of blue light .
Residents seeking dark sky friendly lighting can look for IDA ’ s fixture seal of approval program at their local hardware store . New LED technology offers many advantages , including energy savings and dimming controls . However , all five principles need to be consistently applied . Across the nation , many new LED streetlights are far too bright , too blue , and poorly shielded . This is the time to work with communities to ensure that expensive new streetlights are designed properly the first time . In the words of the IDA , “ Unless all five factors are considered in lighting decisions , the trends of the past decades will continue , and quite possibly accelerate .”
As pervasive as it is , light pollution also poses a wonderful opportunity . It can vanish with the flick of a switch ! Light pollution is completely reversible , and the solutions are win-win for ecosystems , for humans , for energy costs , and for climate health .
“ More education is needed if we are going to preserve our rural properties in their natural and scenic states ,” says Harris . “ Dark skies offer a critical layer of protection for open space , conservation easements , and agricultural properties . A well-preserved open space or landscape includes a dark sky .”
Working together , residents , businesses , and communities can create a velvety , starry sky over all of Loudoun County , inspiring the next generation of children growing up here to dream big .
Geneviève de Messières grew up just across the river on a sheep farm in Montgomery County ’ s Agricultural Reserve . The night sky she enjoyed from her bedroom skylight inspired her to earn a PhD in astronomy , but over the years she watched the stars fade under an onslaught of irresponsible lighting from nearby developments and athletic fields . Now a volunteer for Virginia Master Naturalists and a photography enthusiast , Geneviève hunts for pockets of darkness in Maryland , Virginia , and West Virginia to experience the healing of a star-filled sky .
wander I spring • summer 2023 21