Where did the stars go?

Sky & Telescope - Kelly Beatty begins by describing how the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has been campaigning to reduce the light pollution humans generate, and then compares media coverage from twenty years ago to today. Along the way, he points to this months National Geographic cover article, then concludes with an opportunity to help count the stars in the sky (go see Great Worldwide Star Count - it's not really counting stars, but determining what stars are still visible).

The IDA also links to the same National Geographic article and offers considerable detail and web links to describe what has happened, and can be done with respect to reducing light pollution.

National Geographic has put the spotlight on light pollution, so to speak. In their November 2008 issue, the cover article (by Verlyn Klinkenborg, photos by Jim Richardson) speaks to the effects that lighting up the night sky has on wildlife, human physiology, and astronomy (suspected and confirmed).

I'd like to highlight a side issue that may hit home for more readers - wasted energy. Light that is misdirected away from its intended purpose is wasted light (and energy). Try to confine light to where it is needed. Consider using less light as well as more efficient light sources. If you can, try use a light source that reduces light pollution. The IDA web page can offer suggestions and ideas.

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That seemed appropriate for a first post. I hope to add more about once a week.

Topics include astronomy, various electronics projects, photographs and videos (usually time-lapse videos), but anything is fair game.

If you've got science/technology questions, I might have answers.