M. Pitts, EKU Did you know the only difference between what we see in the night sky and what Abraham Lincoln saw in the night sky is Light Pollution? The National Park Service (NPS) recognizes the importance of natural lightscapes and supports research and monitoring to protect this vanishing resource. The NPS will preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the natural lightscapes of parks, which are natural resources and values that exist in the absence of human-caused light. Light pollution is a relatively easy environmental problem to resolve. Solutions are immediate, effective, and often save money. Protecting night skies for ourselves and future generations only takes a bit of knowledge and effort in choosing night sky friendly outdoor lighting. Half the Park is After Dark! Which of these images looks like the night sky at your home?The Lincolns lived in Kentucky before artificial light was commonly used. Therefore, the Lincoln’s would have seen a night sky similar to the first image below. If, on a cloudless night, your sky looks like the second or third image, you are experiencing the effects of light pollution. If you would like to reduce your own impact and improve the night sky.
Protect Your Night SkyAll life on earth needs a dark night sky, therefore we must help preserve it. If we all make just a few changes, we can help restore this delicate balance and, once again, revel in the beauty of a dark and starry night sky. Half the Park is After Dark!Learn more about the Night Sky |
Last updated: August 15, 2023