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Image by Christopher Jolly

Perhaps the most obvious impact light pollution has is the lack of a clear night sky. Less visible stars, less places to see the milky way, the constellations and the universe we live in.

Day-to-day this may not seem like much of a problem, but as any stargazer will tell you, it's quite the contrary. The ability to look up and see the very universe we live in can be a humbling experience. After a long day it can offer a natural stress relief, or it can be the cherry on top of an already beautiful day. More than that however, for many their love of the night sky can be the gateway they need to develop other environmental connections.

Throughout all of human history countless artists have been inspired by the night sky. Including, but not limited to, Vincent Van Gogh, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Mary Shelley, and all the way back to cave paintings of the moon and the stars. It doesn't take science to prove the deep and inspiring connection we intuitively have with the night sky. It just takes looking up and seeing for ourselves.

Sadly however, light pollution is increasing worldwide. Over the last 25 years it's estimated that light pollution has increased by 45%! This means that each new generation will have less and less of a chance to see the world as our ancestors got to see it, removing them from a part of history. And, will have increased risks of all the side-effects that come along with 

The stars have, however, inspired science in many ways. Longing to see more of the universe we developed the telescope, and with it countless new revelations and opportunities arose. Leading to advancements in our understanding of the universe and our place in it...as well as to the improvement of camera technology - which, in turn has helped surgical innovations...and much more. Science, like many aspects of life, builds off of each other. And in no small part have the stars played a role in inspiring us learn and grow as a species.

Image by Christopher Jolly

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