The Observatory at Turner Farm Park Great Falls, Virginia

Photo Credit: eileen Kragie

Unshielded high lumen and kelvin LED lights trespassing into common park

Photo credit: Eileen Kragie

During the week of April 22 through April 30, The International Dark-Sky Association encouraged residents across the country to “Discover the Night” in order to raise awareness of the negatives of light pollution.

Summer…the time for picnics, barbecues, lying outside in soft grass and fields, gazing up at the night sky, counting stars, pointing out constellations and shooting stars. Among all of the treasures and magic of summer, fireflies reign supreme.

Mayor Linda Colbert read a proclamation at the Vienna Town Council’s April 10 meeting honoring April 15 through 22 this year as International Dark Sky Week.

When you look up at the night sky, can you see the stars? If you live in a large city or near one, the answer is probably no. The culprit is not just clouds and weather — it's light pollution.

Is freedom from light trespass one of our inalienable rights, granted and established by the words Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness enshrined in the Declaration of Independence?

Responsible use of outdoor lights at night is critical to our lives and to our futures. There is an urgent need to redress this global problem sooner rather than later. The wide ranging damage these lights are doing across the board in our lives is beginning to make is its way into our consciousness and our worlds.

Light trespass and light pollution affect wildlife and plant life in many ways — from confusing migrating bird navigation at night to having an impact in nocturnal creatures’ ability to hunt and feed at night, be they prey or predator.

Light trespass in residential neighborhoods is becoming an exponential problem and is already a private property rights issue. Shining into homes, yards and parks, blinding drivers, and pedestrians. It is a simple and easy problem to solve by adopting lighting practices that provide better visibility.

Editor: Turner Farm Observatory Park is well along in the process of getting its Urban Night Sky Place designation from the International Dark Sky Association, that recognizes places near, or in the midst of, urban areas that promote an authentic dark-sky experience.