Artificial lights have become such common nighttime fixtures that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars, but the solutions can have an immediate impact.
Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?
Small changes can have a big impact: use shielded fixtures and less intense bulbs, and turn off unneeded lights.
Listen to the Podcast
Can’t make it to the exhibit, but still curious about light pollution and the night sky? This episode of the Smithsonian Sidedoor podcast talks with astronomers, ornithologists, and historians to learn how we found ourselves surrounded by a glowing shroud of electricity, and asks how we can have the dark without giving up the light.
image credit: Dave Leonard