The International Dark Sky Association, a group of hobby astronomers advocating for better quality views of the night sky by limiting or improving exterior lighting, endorses the week.
The Lyrid Meteor Shower continues through April 25, coinciding with the conclusion of 2023’s International Dark Sky Week.
With growing light pollution impacts across the GTA, the closest, best place for viewing the Lyrids is 140 kilometres from Stouffville at Muskoka’s Torrance Barrens dark sky preserve.
Aside from impacting nighttime visibility, light pollution is effectively hazardous waste associated with harms to humans, animals, and plant life cycles.
More recently, the proliferation of brighter, bluer LEDs has led to increased harms to people.
Blue-rich light from device screens and LED lighting interrupts our circadian rhythms.
These interruptions are linked to increased risk of cancer, diabetes, anxiety, and heart disease, as well as headaches, harms to vision, and sleep disorders.
Find more information about better exterior lighting and dark sky concerns here.
