Welcome
The Dark Sky Society welcomes you. Our members support educational and legislative efforts to eliminate light pollution. Light pollution is defined as:
Glare, light trespass, and 'up' lighting contributing to sky glow, by unshielded, misplaced, excessive, or unnecessary outdoor night lighting
By eliminating light pollution, we can conserve energy, reduce glare, maintain our desirable community character, safeguard our wildlife in their natural environment, and restore our view of the starry night sky.
There are no dues to join or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. Click here to become a member.
Educational Resources from the Dark Sky Society
- Better Lights for Better Nights
One-page sheet of line drawings showing good and bad lighting fixtures. Compliments of Bob Crelin.
- Guidelines for Good Exterior Lighting Plans
Developed in consultation with lighting professionals, these guidelines will help you prepare exterior lighting plans that are sensitive to light pollution abatement and the preservation of dark skies.
- How to talk to your neighbor
A one-page guide to talking with your neighbor who has bad lighting.
- What is Light Pollution?
A one-page guide that describes the basic components of light pollution.
- Municipal Guidelines for Lighting in the Right of Way
Prepared by Susan Harder and Tom Horn (Resource Conservation Manager) for East Hampton, NY in consultation with Leo Smith, Member, IESNA Roadway Lighting Committee
- IDA Lighting Code Handbook
A PDF version of the IDA's lighting code handbook, an excellent guide to municipal and commercial lighting issues as well as the means to regulate the use of such lighting.
- Bird-safe Building Guidelines
New York City Audubon has just published Bird-Safe Building Guidelines, a 55-page manual for architects, landscape designers, engineers, glass technicians, developers, building managers, city, state, and federal officials, and the general public.
- Landscape and Lighting
With an increasing body of evidence proving that light at night has deleterious effects on flora, fauna, and human health, it is time to re-evaluate our night lighting around our homes and in the garden.
The Dark Sky Society is a separate organization from the International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org), which has over 10,000 dues paying members. They work to "preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of the dark skies through quality outdoor lighting." To join: http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=55055&orgId=idsa
See also the New York State Affiliate of the IDA, selene-ny.org.