Night Skies are changing. Light pollution is now causing the night sky to brighten at a rate of around 10% per year. Artificial Light at Night is having a huge impact on our wellbeing and that of other living species alongside us. How can we learn more about this situation and understand our use of light at night?
Satellite images of the Earth at night are taken after midnight, when most people are sleeping. They therefore do not provide a correct picture of light use in the early evening. We hope that in evidencing the light at night and how it is used, we can campaign for better lighting where it’s needed locally, regionally and beyond.
A group of citizen scientists and researchers from GFZ Potsdam (Helmholtz Research Centre for Geosciences, Germany) previously developed an app - Nightlights - to count light sources along street segments – from illuminated windows and advertising signs to street lamps and traffic lights. As a part of Science Year 2023 – Our Universe, they are inviting you to count lights again this autumn with Nightlights.
During 1-31 October 2023, I will run a local campaign for the Nightlights project in London, to support participants who would like join in with surveying here. It is an opportunity to contribute localised, on-the-ground data that can be harnessed for wider study on artificial light at night and behaviours, whilst also supporting individuals and groups campaigning regionally towards solutions for sensible and sensitive lighting schemes.
As part of the campaign I will be coordinating local outreach and a space for group discussion for themes that intersect with carrying out the activity.
Please join the kick-off event to find out more.
What steps are involved in taking part?
Surveying period: 1 October - 31 October
- Complete a short tutorial online
- Select a transect Nightlights web app
- Complete two light surveys on one night, wearing hi viz (we ask you to go out with a family member or friend for safety)
- Use the app to record your results
Participants help with 2 or more surveys in one night. A survey involves identifying different kinds of lights in a location (suggest by you), and inputting these into the Nightlights app. You can take part as many nights as you would like to, or just one night.
Online Kick-off event with project lead Chris Kyba: Monday 2nd October, 6-7pm (zoom link will be sent a few days before the event for those who register)
Register your interest to participate/attend the kick-off here:
bit.ly/3sSnEp9
Read more about the project:
nachtlicht-buehne.de/nightlights
If you think you can take part and want to know more, email Rebecca nightlightsrebecca@gmail.com with the subject ‘NightLights’