Reflections on Light Pollution — Does It Get a Bad Rap?
Amateur astronomers appear to suffer, emotionally speaking, when the topic of light pollution comes up. As the MAS resident pop psychologist (another of my made-up hats), I like to remind my “patients” that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference. There are always upsides.
Consider this: the universe simply has too many stars. How often have you driven to a truly dark-sky site only to find yourself momentarily disoriented, squinting and muttering, “Wait… where is Orion?” Blotting out vast swaths of the sky with a layer of skyglow allows helpful patterns like Orion’s Belt or Cassiopeia’s “W” to pop right out. Less work. More confidence.
Also consider this: you successfully left your couch. Light pollution provides a powerful incentive to drive—sometimes even fly—to darker places. If you could step into your backyard and see everything, why would you ever go anywhere? Instead, you get road trips. Gas station snacks. Mild adventure. Gemini articles.
Finally, there’s the well-known phenomenon of stargazing making people feel small—just one tiny speck in a vast cosmic ocean. But when you can’t see the cosmos at all, it’s harder to feel insignificant. Gazing into a uniform gray sky, mercifully free of distracting points of light, allows us to reclaim our rightful place at the center of everything. Balance is restored.
So, the next time you’re tempted to hurtle a rock at your neighbor’s porch light, or grump about the glow from that car dealership down the road… take a few deep breaths. Consider a new perspective.
And whether I’ve convincingly changed your minds?
