I’ve been aware of light trespass for decades as the gas station lights from across the alley from my Grandmother’s house in Ashland, Virginia glared into her yard, upper porch, and home. My last summer before moving back to Northern Virginia, Hale Bop was coming through. I spent the summer sleeping on my deck on the ridge in West Virginia near the Appalachian Trail in Harper’s Ferry watching it cross the night sky. I woke during those nights seeing the billions of stars rotating above me overhead. 

Moving back to Vienna in 1998, I read that you could still see the Milky Way from Turner Farm Park. I am finding that hard to believe with all of the lights and sky glow they have created over the intervening years. Maybe you could?! I don’t know.

All I know is I love sitting outside in my backyard, especially during the winter, when the leaves are off the trees and looking at the stars above. I have a vague sense that when we moved here in 1969, there was a sky filled with millions of twinkling stars overhead but I don’t see them now. I can see the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Orion and I think, Pleiades. And a few more. I love looking at the stars even though I don’t know very much about them and I am enjoying learning about astronomy from the programs through NOVAC and the Observatory at GMU.

I love the outdoors and hiking with my dog in the woods, yoga, and meditation. Basically, anything that is quiet, solitary, and dark at night. And like many others, I find much artificial light too bright and often wear sunglasses indoors, and at night to curtail the effects of the sensitivity.

A background in survival training has enhanced my enjoyment of wandering the globe after dark. I’m partial to the ancient ways of navigating by the stars and moon. Advanced technologies may fail and then what will humans rely on to travel nocturnally?

I saw my first satellite crossing the sky sitting near 18,000 feet in Nepal in 1992. Somehow in the pit of my stomach, I did not think that was a good thing even way back then. Now I am learning of all that the new mega constellations are bringing, and will bring, to our lives and to the skies overhead.

We also must speak up for all those with whom we share this planet who cannot speak for themselves The creatures and flora and fauna who cannot survive with trespassing artificial light. We can no longer be silent.

Any help raising awareness, educating people, writing letters to local, state, or regional officials, including international, signing any petitions or letters, or simply mentioning the growing and pervasive problem of light pollution and light trespass would be much appreciated.

We are all in this together. I just want to be able to sit in my backyard and see my stars and fireflies again. And I want you to be able to see yours too!