12/04/2013
Goldpaint Photography
Today is the last day of the International Dark Sky Week! Unfortunately I've been swamped with my upcoming projects I haven't had time to post here in a few days. From the comments I've read on earlier posts, some people don't understand why losing the dark matters. Light pollution interferes with living systems in many ways, causing, for example, sea turtles to lose their way to the sea, migrating birds to become confused and strike buildings, and plant seasonal cycles to be disturbed. It also affects human hormone cycles and our day-and-night cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Using light carelessly wastes energy, resources used to make the energy, and interferes with everyone’s visibility not only of stars but also of things on the ground that we need to see.
The last image, or images I would like to share in honor of IDSWeek is a body of work by the artist Thierry Cohen (http://thierrycohen.com/). He photographs major cities, noting the precise time, angle, and latitude and longitude of his exposures. He then shoots the sky at the same angles from remote places at the same latitude, and digitally combines the images to show what the night sky would look like if we could turn off the lights.
I want to thank the International Dark-Sky Association for all of their support and hard work promoting dark sky awareness!
Celebrate the Night! Light Right!
http://www.darksky.org/resources/109-international-dark-sky-week
Goldpaint Photography
www.goldpaintphotography.com
For more information, please read below.
Light pollution and human health
In the USA today, 56% of children between the ages of 8 and 12 own their own cell phone and many are able to download and use astronomy apps. However, only 1% of those children will be able to see the majority of the objects shown by those apps because of light pollution. This makes for many disappointed, and disillusioned children; uninspired to pursue science. Not only is that frightening from a social and cultural standpoint, it is also terrifying as a health concern. Being exposed to light at night continues to be shown as a factor leading to health problems including obesity, depression, and even cancer, among others.
Glare on the Eyes
Bright points of light from poorly designed roadway lighting produce a condition known as “disability glare.” Disability glare is so intense that it causes us to avert our eyes from the veil of light being scattered across our retinas. This condition can temporarily cast everything except the light source into virtual invisibility. Older drivers are especially vulnerable to disability glare, because as we age the eye loses its ability to quickly adjust to changing levels of illumination. Fully shielded roadway lighting reduces this hazard and creates a safe and more pleasant driving experience by distributing the light evenly.
Circadian Rhythm
The 24-hour day/night cycle, known as the circadian clock, affects physiologic processes in almost all organisms, including humans. These processes include brain wave patterns, hormone production (melatonin), cell regulation and other biologic activities. Disruption of these rhythms can result in insomnia, depression, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In 2012 the American Medical Association has recognized light at night as a carcinogen and a health risk. More information may be found at:http://www.darksky.org/assets/documents/AMA_2012_report.pdf
Melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone which is released by darkness and inhibited by light. It serves many functions in the human body, primarily regulating the daily cycles of our systemic activities. Reduction or elimination of light at night can help maintain a robust melatonin rhythm. While any kind of light can interfere with melatonin production, the short wavelength, blue portion of the spectrum is the most potent for melatonin suppression in humans.
Sleep disorders
Exposure to the artificially extended daytime of our lighted modern world can lead to desynchornization of our internal rhythms. According to the National Institution of Health (NIH), a shift in our clocks impairs our ability to sleep and wake at the appropriate times and leads to a decrease in cognitive and motor skills. A good night’s sleep helps reduce weight gain, stress, depression, and the onset of diabetes.
The NIH believes humans function best when they sleep at night and act in the daytime. If outdoor light is shining into your window and disrupting your sleep, it is recommend you block out the light or request that the light be shielded for everyone’s benefit.
Emerging Research
Please post to the wall, ONLY photos of night sky you have taken yourself, NO EXCEPTIONS. When you p
