Dark Sky Preserves preserve true darkness at night

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Some national and state parks are certified in regulating light pollution, also referred to as “dark sky preserves.” With this type of certification, these preserves bring optimal views of starry skies at night.

Light pollution is the presence of excessive artificial light. Ruskin Hartley, the CEO of Dark Sky International, leads a team of researchers that promote responsible outdoor lighting and certify places as dark sky preserves.

“Tens of thousands of volunteers around the world have been going outside and counting the number of stars that they could see,” Hartley said. “And using that as a proxy for how bright is the night sky and how is it changing,”

Animals and plants rely on the darkness to accomplish stages in their life cycles. Hartley says preserving true darkness at night maintains this normalcy.

With the recent surge in technology, light pollution has become an increasing concern, Hartley says.

“Unfortunately, as it has become cheaper, we have tended to use more of it. Essentially that has led to a rapid brightening of the night sky.”

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