It may seem harmless, but light pollution has far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all living things. Effective outdoor lighting reduces light pollution, leading to a better quality of life for all. The dark sky movement is working to bring better lighting to communities around the world so that all life can thrive.
Join us this International Dark Sky Week to learn more about the movement, and discover the night where you live.
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Presented by DarkSky International
Any artificial light that is not needed is a pollutant that has serious and harmful consequences.
Light pollution can:
Light pollution is increasing at 2x rate of population growth and 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky.
Globe at Night’s community scientists measure and submit their night sky brightness observations. It’s easy to get involved — all you need is computer or smartphone.
Is your home night sky friendly? A few simple changes can lead to home lighting that is both beautiful and functional, without contributing excessive light pollution.
Dark City Walks are guided walking tours that demonstrate how the lighting we add to our cities impacts the way we use them and the environment at large.
DarkSky Advocates around the world educate the public about light pollution, enact legislation, serve as local resources for other volunteers, and more. Join us!
Connect with a partner organization and tell them about the importance of reducing light pollution — or better yet, host an event with them to help introduce new audiences to the value of dark skies.
Partner ideas [PDF]
Event ideas [PDF]
Discover the night by taking part in the International Dark Sky Week scavenger hunt! Find as many items on the list as you can during the week. Find them all, and IDA will send you an assortment of stickers!
Get Dark Sky Week officially proclaimed or recognized by a local government agency. This can get picked up by local media and really helps get the word out. In 2022, we had 23 successful proclamations in the United States. Our goal is to have at least 100 IDSW proclamations worldwide in 2023.
Learn how [Google Doc]
Letters to the editor (LTE) can be a compelling way to raise awareness about an issue. They are some of the most read pieces in newspapers or magazines. Writing an LTE about dark skies can inform the public about light pollution issues they are likely not aware of.
Learn how [Box]
Artificial light at night has revolutionized the way we live and work outdoors, but it has come at a price. When used indiscriminately, outdoor lighting can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, waste money, and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view of the universe.Â
The DarkSky International promotes win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting.
The night sky, filled with stars, is celebrated and protected around the world as a shared heritage benefiting all living things.
Thank you to our corporate partners for year-round support
Leading Partners
Sustaining Partners
Ally partners
Associate Partners
Presenting Partners
The National Park Services preserves, to the greatest extent possible, the natural lightscapes of parks by supporting system wide restoration of night sky resources and values, advancing scientific understanding, and inspiring public appreciation of night skies.
Tag your Instagram posts with either #IDSW2024, #DarkSkyWeek, or #DiscoverTheNight.
Can you pitch in a few dollars a month to protect the night? Support DarkSky International by becoming a monthly member today. When you join our monthly giving club, you will receive a special Nighthawk magnet.